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Fifteen-minute consultation: Approach to the child with an acute confusional state

Manish Prasad1, Arnab Seal2, Santosh R Mordekar3

  • 1Paediatric Neurology Department, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Education and Practice Edition
|November 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Acute confusional state (ACS) is a medical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis. This review details a diagnostic approach for children with ACS, covering common causes, treatments, and outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Acute confusional state (ACS) signifies a sudden cognitive impairment, posing a significant medical emergency in children.
  • Cognitive deficits in ACS can range from global impairment to specific deficits in higher mental functions like memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of medical history and clinical presentation in diagnosing pediatric ACS.
  • To present a structured diagnostic approach for children experiencing ACS.
  • To outline common etiologies, management strategies, and prognoses for pediatric ACS.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on acute confusional state in children.
  • Emphasis on clinical assessment, including history taking and symptom evaluation.
  • Development of a diagnostic algorithm for pediatric ACS.

Main Results:

  • Accurate diagnosis of ACS relies heavily on thorough medical history and detailed clinical signs and symptoms.
  • Common causes of ACS in children were identified and categorized.
  • Effective treatment strategies and expected outcomes for various causes were described.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic diagnostic approach, supported by a clear algorithm, is essential for managing pediatric ACS.
  • Early recognition and appropriate management of ACS in children can significantly improve outcomes.
  • Understanding the diverse causes of ACS is crucial for effective pediatric emergency care.

Keywords:
Accident & Emergencyconfusional stateepilepsymigraine

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