| | | | | | The Medical Algorithms Project |
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| Chapter : | ch17. Neurology | Section : | Coma Scales | | Blantyre Coma Scale for Young Children | | Copyright (c) 2006-2007, Institute for Algorithmic Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. All rights reserved. |
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Overview :
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 |
Blantyre coma scale =
= (best motor response score) + (best verbal response score)
+ (eye movement score)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0 (poor)
• maximum score: 5 (good)
• abnormal: score <= 4
| | References: | |
Molyneux
ME, Taylor TE, et al. Clinical features and prognostic indicators in paediatric
cerebral malaria: A study of 131 comatose Malawian children. Q J Med. 1989; 71:
441-459.
Waller D,
Krishna WS, Crawley J, et al. Clinical features and outcome of severe malaria in
Gambian children. Clin Infect Dis. 1995; 21: 577-587.
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