Disorders of Consciousness in Children: Assessment, Treatment, and Prognosis

Beth S Slomine; Stacy J Suskauer

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.012

Disorders of Consciousness in Children: Assessment, Treatment, and Prognosis

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2024 Feb;35(1):223-234. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.012. Epub 2023 Jul 11.

Authors

Beth S Slomine¹, Stacy J Suskauer²

Affiliations

¹ Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Balitmore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
² Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 North Broadway, Balitmore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Departments of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Electronic address: suskauer@kennedykrieger.org.

PMID: 37993191
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.012

Abstract

Children with acquired brain injury may experience prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC); research on children with DoC lags behind adult literature. Rigorous evaluation of assessment tools used in children with DoC is lacking, though recent developments may contribute to improvements in care, particularly for assessment of young children and those without overt command following. Literature on prognosis continues to grow, reinforcing that early signs of consciousness suggest better long-term outcome. Although large clinical trials for children with DoC are lacking, single-site and multisite programmatic data inform standards of care and treatment options for children with DoC.

Keywords: Child; Coma; Minimally conscious state; Pediatric; Vegetative state.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Brain Injuries*
Child
Child, Preschool
Consciousness Disorders / diagnosis
Consciousness Disorders / therapy
Consciousness*
Humans
Prognosis