Fainting (Syncope)

What is fainting?
Fainting is defined as falling down and being unconsciousness for a short time, usually less than one minute.
The four most common reasons for fainting are sudden stress, i.e., seeing a bad accident, severe pain, prolonged standing in one position with knees locked or sudden standing up, especially after bed rest.
Children who have fainted from such causes recover quickly after lying down for a few minutes.

How can I take care of my child?
Have your child lie down for 10 to 15 minutes with his or her feet elevated.
Put a cold washcloth on his or her forehead.
Offer the child a glass of fruit juice.
If the fainting was due to stress or fear, help your child to talk about it. Smelling salts are unpleasant and are not needed.

How can I help prevent fainting?
To prevent fainting caused from standing too long, explain to your child that keeping the knees locked interferes with circulation and recirculation of the blood.
If your child must stand for long periods of time, he or she should pump the blood by repeatedly relaxing and retightening the leg muscles.
To prevent fainting that occurs when your child stands up suddenly, make sure your child sits up and takes some deep breaths before standing up.

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?
Call immediately if your child faints.


Resource List
Books for Children & Adults
• Goodnight Moon; by Margaret Brown Collins, 1991
• The Animals’ Liability; by Tom Paxton, Morrow 1993
• A child’s Good Night Book; by Margaret Brown; Harper, 1992
• Time For Bed; by Mem Fox Gulliver, 1997
• Busy Lizzie; by Holly Berry North-South Books, 1994
• Wake Up And Goodnight; by Charlotte Zolotow, Pamela Paparone (illustrator), Harper Collins
• Time For Bed; by Mem Fox: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1993
• Wake Up: Sleep Tight; by Ken Wilson-Max: Scholastic, 1998
• I Don’t Want To Sleep Tonight; by Deborah Norville, Golden Books, 1999
• Good Night Gorilla; by Peggy Rathman; Putman, 1994
• Teach Your Child To Sleep: Solving Sleep Problems from Newborn Through Childhood; by Millpond Sleep Clinic; Hamlyn, 2005
• Is My Child Overtired? The Sleep Solution For Raising Happier, Healthier Children; by William Wilkoff; Simon & Schuster, 2000