Comparison of AVPU Scale and the Glasgow Coma Scale Score in Assessing Encephalitis in Children

Abstract

Vietnam is a developing country with tropical climate where infectious diseases, especially encephalitis are common. Every year, in National Hospital of Pediatrics from 200 to 300 encephalitis patients are hospitalized due to encephalitis. A rapid assessment of consciousness level in encephalitis is of importance in treatment and prognosis for patients. Two scales are usually used in assessment of consciousness level, The Alert Verbal Painful Unresponsiveness (AVPU) scale and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS score is one of the most commonly used methods. AVPU scale is a simple method for assessment of consciousness. We conducted this study to determine how the AVPU responsive scale corresponds with the GCS in children who have encephalitis.