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Acute confusion in children under 16 years - NICE guidance - suspected neurological conditions - recognition and referral

Authoring team

Acute Confusion

Summary points from NICE guidance relating to acute confusion in children are:

For children with unexplained acute confusion: arrange an emergency transfer to hospital and measure blood glucose.

Be aware that acute confusion in children can be a symptom of meningitis, encephalitis or poisoning. If infection is suspected requires an assessment of possible sepsis.

For children with acute confusion who have a non-blanching rash or other signs or symptoms suggestive of meningococcal septicaemia, then manage as for possible meningococcal septicaemia

  • consider other possible clinical features of meningococcal septicaemia - see linked items

Reference

  1. NICE. Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral. NICE guideline NG127. Published May 2019, last updated October 2023

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