Costs and utility of tests in the evaluation of the pediatric patients with syncope

Abstract

New diagnostic tests have markedly improved the ability to establish a cause of syncope in pediatric patients, but at a substantial cost. The goal of syncope evaluation should be to diagnose treatable causes and identify patients at high risk for sudden death. The diagnostic utility of commonly used tests is reviewed. Although there are limited data on the application of specific diagnostic tests in the child with syncope, most tests have a low yield in unselected patients. A more directed approach to testing, based on the results of history, physical examination and the electrocardiogram is likely to result in significant cost reduction while still identifying patients with life threatening disorders. Validation of such an approach awaits prospective evaluation.