[Syncopes in children and adolescents].

Syncopes are frequent in the pediatric age group. The majority of these events are benign and are so called neurocardiogenic syncopes. In a minority of affected children, a cardiac pathology is the underlying cause, these cases need to be recognized promptly as almost all of the underlying cardiac causes are potentially fatal conditions. Usually detailed history of syncopal events allows for differentiation between neurocardiogenic and other causes of syncope. In case the physical examination is normal, a simple ECG as the only additional laboratory test is adequate. Other laboratory tests are performed on the basis of suspicious findings in both history and physical examination. The typical neuricardiogenic syncopes rarely require medication in childhood, usually addressing some behavioural aspects with the patient are sufficient as only therapeutic measures.