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Cough Syncope Mimicking Epilepsy in Asthmatic Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Robert H. A. Haslam*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences. Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
Bruno Freigang*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences. Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
*
Department of Paediatrics. Alberta Children’s Hospital. 1820 Richmond Road. Calgary. Alberta T2T 5C7 Canada
Department of Paediatrics. Alberta Children’s Hospital. 1820 Richmond Road. Calgary. Alberta T2T 5C7 Canada
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Abstract:

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Cough syncope is a more common complication of childhood asthma than formerly recognized. We report twelve children with typical cough syncope who were identified in a pediatric clinic over a period spanning seven years. The condition may be confused with epilepsy because of frequently associated brief clonic convulsive movements during the height of the cerebral anoxia. Cough syncope is readily distinguished from epilepsy by a thorough history. The management and prevention of cough syncope is directed at the aggressive control of bronchospasm in children with asthma.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1985

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