Etiologic and demographic characteristics of syncope in children and adolescents: a nationwide population-based study in Korea.

Abstract

Background: Syncope is common among children and adolescents. Although it is most commonly caused by vasovagal syncope, it can also be due to undiagnosed, potentially serious, or even life-threatening conditions. We aimed to investigate the distribution of subsequent sinister diagnoses, such as heart disease (HD) and epilepsy, and analyze their demographic characteristics in children presenting with syncope.

Methods: This nationwide, population-based study was conducted using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Patients aged <19 years at the time of their first visit between January 2010 and December 2014, who had primary, secondary, or additional diagnostic codes for syncope, were selected and followed up for a minimum of 5 years from the index date to investigate subsequent diagnoses of HD or epilepsy. Patient demographics, diagnostic codes, and prescriptions were retrieved from the database.

Results: A total of 75,839 patients with new-onset syncope were identified, of which 239 (0.3%) and 2,516 (3.3%) were subsequently diagnosed with HD and epilepsy, respectively. In the infant, toddler, and preschool age groups, the proportions of patients with subsequent diagnoses of HD and epilepsy were relatively lower (5/5,353, 0.1%) and higher (206/5,353, 3.8%), respectively, than the proportions in the other age groups. A male preponderance was noted for patients with syncope who were later diagnosed with HD or epilepsy (P<0.001). The proportion of patients experiencing syncope with a subsequent diagnosis of HD was relatively high in the summer.

Conclusions: The subsequent diagnosis of potentially life-threatening diseases in pediatric syncope, including HD and epilepsy, is relatively low in all age groups. In addition to comprehensive history taking and physical examination, demographic data such as age and sex, and season of occurrence, can aid in diagnosing the underlying cause of pediatric syncope by helping to identify patients who may require further investigations.