Syncope

Abstract

Syncope or fainting refers to a sudden and transient loss of consciousness resulting from temporarily inadequate cerebral blood flow. A population-based study found an incidence of 126=100,000 during childhood and adolescence with a peak in the 15-to 19-year old group for both sexes. Up to 15% of children may experience one syncopal episode before the age of 18. The prognosis is dependent on the etiology of syncope. In most cases, there is full recovery without sequelae and recurrence is rare.