Facts

  • If a child or young person is being unresponsive or less responsive than normal, this may indicate reduced consciousness, which can be associated with a brain tumour.
  • Reduced consciousness in a child or young person will involve a reduced response to pain or to someone's voice. At its most serious, the child may not be able to be roused from sleeping. In relation to pain, whereas they would normally open their eyes, flinch or withdraw, grimace, and/or respond verbally, in a state of reduced consciousness, they may not do these things. Other signs would be that the child does not open their eyes when they are called, they whimper or moan, they appear confused and cannot find the right words to use, or they may make incomprehensible sounds.
  • Witnessing a child with reduced consciousness can be very frightening.

Further information about reduced consciousness in children and young adults can be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/paediatric-guideline/Guideline%20algorithm.pdf

Preschool under 5

Reduced consciousness can be due to a serious illness and any child having a first episode of reduced consciousness must be reviewed as soon as possible by a doctor. If you think your child is experiencing reduced consciousness, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

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Children 5-11

Reduced consciousness can be due to a serious illness and any child having a first episode of reduced consciousness must be reviewed as soon as possible by a doctor. If you think your child is experiencing reduced consciousness, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

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Young adult 12-18

Reduced consciousness can be due to a serious illness and any young person having a first episode of reduced consciousness must be reviewed as soon as possible by a doctor. If you think your child is experiencing reduced consciousness, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

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Be aware

If you are worried about the child, make an appointment with your doctor.
If the symptoms of signs are sudden onset or severe, either take them to the emergency department or call 999