The Blantyre coma scale is a modification of the Glasgow
coma scale suitable to use in preverbal children. The scale uses motor and
crying responses to pain and includes the ability to watch. It can be used to
assess young children with cerebral malaria.
|
Response
|
Findings
|
Score
|
|
best motor response
|
localizes painful stimulus (pressure with blunt end of
pencil on sternum or supraorbital ridge)
|
2
|
|
|
withdraws limb from painful stimulus (pressure with
horizontal pencil on nail bed of finger or toe)
|
1
|
|
|
no response or inappropriate response
|
0
|
|
best verbal response
|
cries appropriately with painful stimulus, or, if verbal,
speaks
|
2
|
|
|
moan or abnormal cry with painful stimulus
|
1
|
|
|
no vocal response to painful stimulus
|
0
|
|
eye movement
|
watches or follows (e.g., mother's face)
|
1
|
|
|
fails to watch or follow
|
0
|
= (best motor response score) + (best verbal response score)
+ (eye movement score)