Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS)
Why Use
Allows for calculation of the GCS in preverbal children, for whom some of the components in the standard GCS are not able to be measured. The standard GCS is a component of several prognostic and clinical decision making tools such as the PECARN Pediatric Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm , Revised Trauma Score , Age Specific Pediatric Trauma Score, and the Canadian CT Head Injury/Trauma Rule .
When to Use
Infants with head trauma, altered mental status or neurologic abnormalities. Use in initial and serial assessments.
Pearls / Pitfalls
The Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS) allows providers to obtain, track and communicate the mental status and level of consciousness in preverbal children (≤2 years of age). Variation of the standard Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with age appropriate modifications to the motor and verbal components. Scored 3-15 (eye, verbal and motor response) like the standard GCS Should be reported as a sum and include the scores of each of the individual components because of the difference in prognostic value and variations of individual components versus the summed score. Example: Total pCGS 12=E3+V4+M5. ( Healey C 2003 ) As accurate for identifying clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) as GCS in verbal children. Points to keep in mind: Best to obtain pGCS prior to the administration of analgesics or other interventions that could alter the score. Somewhat less accurate in identifying those with ANY traumatic brain injury (TBI) on CT compared to the GCS in older children. ( Borgialli DA 2016 ) In intubated patients (for whom the verbal score may not be obtained), consider using the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR score). This is a validated, expanded scoring system. ( Wijdicks EF 2005 ) ( Sadaka F 2012 ) Distinction between normal and abnormal flexion may be challenging, especially for the non-specialist. ( Reilly 1991 )
Management
Although a valuable diagnostic tool, the score alone should not be used for management decisions in the acute setting. Common applications include the need to consider intubation/definitive airway management in those with a GCS less than 8. However, the entire clinical picture must be taken into account. Due in part to the value in identifying those with ciTBIs, any patient with an abnormal GCS warrants close assessment and monitoring.
Critical Actions
All patients with a GCS <15 need appropriate monitoring. All patients with concern for mental status or neurologic compromise should be closely monitored and reassessed.
Advice
The score can be used to assess and track a patient’s mental status and level of consciousness. However, like the standard GCS, the score alone is not sufficient to guide diagnosis or management. ( Teasdale 2014 )
More Information
Score interpretation: Scores of ≥13 suggests minor head injury. Score of 9-12 suggests moderate head injury. Score of ≤8 suggests severe head injury.