Level of consciousness in children

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Level of consciousness in children

Level of consciousness is a measure of a child's ability to interact with other people and react to his or her surroundings. A decreased level of consciousness may indicate a serious health problem.

Symptoms of a decreased level of consciousness in a young child include:

Extreme irritability for more than 3 hours. The child cannot be calmed by holding, rocking, or feeding.
Extreme sleepiness and difficulty waking up.
Limpness and poor, weak muscle tone. A child older than 3 months of age may not move for an extended period of time or may not show any desire to move.
Weak or feeble cry.
Lack of response to touch or voice.
Inability to suck for two or more feedings in a row.
Vacant or blank stare. Children older than 3 months of age may not make eye contact or may show other signs of confusion or disorientation.
Unequal movement, strength, and activity of the arms or legs.

Credits

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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