[Psychological profile of children with neurogenic syncope]

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2014 Oct;15(10):531-4. doi: 10.1714/1672.18302.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

At present, syncope is still a matter of great concern and anxiety for both parents and children. Neurocardiogenic syncope is the most common type of syncope in children with an incidence of 70%. It usually has a benign etiology, with rapid loss of consciousness and spontaneous resolution. In case of neurocardiogenic syncope, it is important to assess the emotional and/or adaptive capacity of the patient. From a psychological point of view, the presence of a traumatic area of development has been reported in pediatric patients with syncope. This area is characterized by symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, self-withdrawal, somatic complaints and dissociation. Neurocardiogenic syncope in pediatric age can be the expression of a psychosomatic disorder underlying psychopathological vulnerability.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Child
  • Depression / complications
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dissociative Disorders / complications
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Prognosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / psychology
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / diagnosis*
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / epidemiology
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / psychology*