Campaigns to improve knowledge of the recovery position should be promoted to reduce the hospital admission rate of children who lose consciousness, say researchers.

Greater understanding of the recovery position could reduce hospital admissions. Picture: Alamy

The study says that parents and teachers appear to have a poor knowledge of the recovery position (RP) – a safe position in which to place an unconscious child to protect their airway. 

A prospective cohort study looked at children from birth to 18 years who were diagnosed with loss of consciousness (LOC) at 11 paediatric emergency departments (EDs) in six European countries.

Data were collected from parent interviews, paediatric ED reports, and clinical examinations.

Vasovagal syncope

Seizures were most frequently diagnosed as causing LOC (n=278, 50.3%) and vasovagal syncope, fainting due to a stressor such as emotional distress (n=124, 22.4%). Children had been put in the RP in 145 cases (26.2%). The RP was independently associated with a significant fall in the admission rate.

‘Our study demonstrates for the first time that the RP may reduce the admission rate of infants with LOC,’ said the authors. ‘Caregivers often perform inadequate manoeuvres when a child becomes unconscious. Campaigns aiming at increasing knowledge of the RP should be promoted.’

Julliand S et al (2016) Recovery position significantly associated with a reduced admission rate of children with loss of consciousness. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 101, 6, 6 521-526