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paediatrics emergency-medicine critical-care

Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS)

Modified GCS adapted for preverbal and young children. Assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses. Score 15 = normal; score <8 = severe impairment, secure airway.

Used in: Head Injury

Score interpretation

Minor impairment (13-15)

→ Close neurological monitoring; observe in ED; check blood glucose; seek cause; CT head if focal signs or mechanism

Moderate impairment (9-12)

→ Urgent PICU assessment; IV access; IV glucose if hypoglycaemic; CT head; airway risk — anaesthetics on standby

Severe impairment (3-8) — critical

→ Immediate airway management (RSI if pGCS <=8); PICU admission; urgent CT; ICP monitoring; neuropaediatrics; consider non-accidental injury in infants

Interpretation bands for the Paediatric GCS. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.