Few phone calls are as scary as the one from school or the coach saying your child passed out. Most of the time, though, fainting in kids and teens isn’t caused by anything serious. A few warning signs do deserve a closer look, and knowing which is which helps you stay calm.
At Focus On Kids Pediatrics, we see fainting and lightheadedness most often in preteens and teens, especially during busy fall sports seasons. Below, we cover the usual causes, what to do in the moment and when to bring your child in.
How Common Is Fainting in Kids?
More common than most parents expect. According to HealthyChildren.org, as many as 1 in 4 healthy children and teens faint at some point. Most recover in less than a minute.
Fainting, also called syncope, happens when blood flow to the brain drops for a moment. In children, the most common type is vasovagal syncope, sometimes called simple fainting. A reflex briefly lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, the brain gets less blood and the child passes out. Once they’re lying flat, blood flow returns and they come around.
If your teen often feels lightheaded when standing, our article on high and low blood pressure in kids explains how low blood pressure can play a role.
Common Triggers
Not drinking enough is the most common cause of fainting in children. Low fluid levels reduce blood volume, which lowers blood pressure. Other common triggers include:
- Standing still for a long time, like at a concert, in a choir or in a school assembly
- Heat, especially in crowded or stuffy rooms
- Seeing blood, getting a shot or having blood drawn
- Stress, fear or strong emotions
- Skipping meals
- Standing up quickly after sitting or lying down
Colorado’s dry air makes it easy for active kids to fall behind on fluids without noticing. Our guide to the best ways to keep your kids hydrated has practical tips.
The Warning Signs Before a Faint
Simple fainting usually gives a few seconds of warning. Your child may feel lightheaded, have blurry vision, feel sick to their stomach, start sweating or feel suddenly cold. They often look pale. These signs typically last 5 to 10 seconds before a faint.
Teach your child to sit or lie down the moment these feelings start. Getting low to the ground often stops the faint and prevents a fall.
What to Do If Your Child Faints
- Help your child lie flat on their back.
- Raise their legs above the level of their heart.
- Loosen anything tight around the neck or waist.
- Check that they’re breathing normally.
- Have them stay lying down for 10 to 15 minutes, then sit up slowly before standing.
- Offer water and a snack once they’re fully alert.
Call 911 if your child doesn’t wake up within a minute, isn’t breathing normally or was hurt in the fall.
When to Call the Doctor Right Away
Most fainting is simple fainting. A small number of cases are linked to the heart, and these deserve a prompt evaluation. Call us right away if your child:
- Fainted during exercise or while running, not after stopping
- Had chest pain or a racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat before fainting
- Fainted with no warning signs at all
- Has a family history of sudden, unexplained death or fainting at a young age
- Has fainted more than once
Fainting during hard exercise is unusual and needs a heart evaluation. It’s also why sports physicals ask about fainting and family heart history. Until your child has been checked, keep them out of sports. If your child plays a fall or winter sport, our guide to sports physical exams explains what we check and why.
Other Causes Worth Ruling Out
Sometimes dizziness points to something beyond a simple faint. Low iron is a common one, especially in teen girls and athletes. It can cause lightheadedness, fatigue and pale skin. Our article on iron deficiency in kids covers the signs.
Not eating enough, whether from a busy schedule or restrictive eating, can also lead to fainting. About 1 in 100 teens has a condition called POTS, where the heart rate jumps on standing and causes repeated dizziness. If your child is also tired all the time, our guide to fatigue in kids may help you spot patterns to share with us.
Everyday Prevention
For most kids who have had a simple faint, a few simple habits help:
- Drink water steadily through the day, not just at practice.
- Eat regular meals, including breakfast.
- When standing for a long time, shift weight and avoid locking the knees.
- Get up slowly after lying down, especially in the morning.
For children with repeated episodes, your pediatrician may suggest specific fluid goals or adding more salt to the diet. Please don’t try this without talking to us first.
When to Schedule a Visit
Any first-time faint is worth a call, even if your child seems completely fine afterward. We’ll ask what happened before, during and after the faint. We’ll also go over family history and check blood pressure and heart rate. Most of the time, we can reassure you and set up a simple prevention plan.
If you’re looking for a Littleton pediatric office that will take the time to sort out dizziness and fainting, contact us to schedule a visit.
Final Thoughts
Fainting is common in kids and teens, and most of the time it comes down to fluids, food, heat or standing too long. The exceptions are the ones to remember: fainting during exercise, chest pain, a racing heart or a family history of sudden death always deserve a call.
With guidance from Focus On Kids Pediatrics, you can help your child stay active, hydrated and confident through every season.