Fainting, clinically referred to as a syncope, is a relatively common event that happens when blood pressure drops and the brain doesn't get enough blood flow. This causes a temporary loss of consciousness and muscle control. Fainting in children can be scary, but it's not usually a cause for concern. Most often, it's caused by dehydration, overheating or overexcitement.
Rarely, fainting can be a sign of an underlying heart or neurological condition. Learn more about what may cause your child to faint, how to help them if they faint and when to contact their pediatrician.
Causes of Fainting in Children
Fainting is common and may be brought on by a number of factors, including:
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar
- Overexcitement, intense emotion
- The sight of blood
- Anemia
- Being in a hot or crowded room
- Holding your breath (common in children 6 months to 2 years old)
Signs of Fainting
When someone is about to faint, they'll experience symptoms including:
- Lightheadedness
- Blurred or spotty vision
- Muffled hearing
- Nausea
- Cold or clammy skin
Teach your child the warning signs of fainting so they can sit down if they feel they are about to faint. This can help prevent injury from falling.
What to Do When a Child Faints
- Move them to a safe place
- Talk to them and see if they're lucid (if they're confused, they may have had a seizure)
- Loosen their clothing
- Give them water
- Have them lay flat with their feet elevated
Is Fainting a Sign of a Heart Condition?
Very rarely, fainting can be a sing of an underlying health issue, such as:
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Structural heart defects
- Heart disease
Be aware of these red flags which could indicate a more serious health condition:
- Heart palpitations
- Sudden fainting during exercise
- Family history of sudden cardiac death
- Loss of bowel control
- Biting their tongue
- Confusion or sluggishness when they regain consciousness
Testing and Diagnosis after Fainting
Bring your child to their pediatrician for an evaluation after they faint. Your child's pediatrician will gather information to determine whether they need to be referred to a pediatric heart doctor.
Your pediatrician may ask questions, such as:
- What was your child doing before they fainted?
- How often do they faint?
- How long did the fainting spell last?
- Did they eat or drink anything before fainting?
They will listen to your child's heartbeat and measure blood pressure. Usually, your child will be cleared and won't need further testing.
If your pediatrician suspects there may be an underlying heart condition, they will refer you to a pediatric heart doctor, who will order more tests.
Pediatric Heart Tests
A pediatric cardiologist has special training in treating conditions of the heart. They may order on of more of these tests to get more information about how well your child's heart if functioning:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test records the electrical activity of the heart. It shows any abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias).
- Holter monitor. Your child will wear a portable heart monitor for 24 hours or longer. It measures irregular, fast or slow heart rhythms while your child does their normal activities.
- Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to make a moving picture of the heart and heart valves, pumping function and blood flow through the heart.
These tests are painless and noninvasive, meaning your child's doctor won't use any needles or make any cuts on their skin.
Depending on the results of these tests, your child's cardiologist will recommend further testing or create a treatment plan.
Pediatric Heart Care at University Health
If your child has a fainting spell, notify their pediatrician. Fainting is generally not a cause for concern, but it might alert your child's health care team to an underlying issue. If needed, your pediatrician can refer you to our pediatric heart specialists for further testing.
