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Breakfast time blackouts
Andrew W Barritt1, Bridget K MacDonald2
1Hurstwood Park Neurosciences Centre, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4EX, UK.
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
|October 21, 2014
Summary
A rare condition called stretch syncope can cause adolescents to faint. This reflex syncope is triggered by specific stretching maneuvers involving breath holding and neck twisting.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Reflex syncope is a common cause of fainting, particularly in adolescents.
- Specific triggers can precipitate syncope in susceptible individuals.
- Stretch syncope is a rare variant of reflex syncope, often associated with specific physical activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of a 16-year-old female experiencing recurrent syncope.
- To identify the trigger for the syncopal episodes as a specific stretching maneuver.
- To review existing literature on stretch syncope in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 16-year-old female with recurrent collapse.
- Detailed history including provocative maneuvers.
- Literature review of reported cases of stretch syncope.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced recurrent episodes of loss of consciousness.
- Syncope was consistently provoked by a maneuver combining breath holding and neck torsion.
- Literature review identified similar cases, confirming stretch syncope as a rare entity.
Conclusions:
- Stretch syncope is a rare form of reflex syncope.
- Adolescents may be particularly susceptible to this condition.
- Awareness of this trigger is crucial for diagnosis and management in affected individuals.
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