Information
Last updated: 06 June 2024

Glasgow Coma Scale

Information
Glasgow coma scale
ActivityScore Infant (1-12m) Score Child (1y+)
Eye opening 4 spontaneously 4 spontaneously
  3 to speech 3 to command
  2 to pain 2 to pain
  1 no response 1 no response
Best verbal response 5 coos, babbles 5 oriented
  4 irritable, cries 4 confused
  3 cries to pain 3 inappropriate words
  2 moans, grunts 2 incomprehensible
  1 no response 1 no response
Best motor response 6 spontaneous 6 obeys command
  5 localises pain 5 localises pain
  4 withdraws to pain 4 withdraws to pain
  3 flexion (decorticate) 3 flexion (decorticate)
  2 extension (decerebrate) 2 extension (decerebrate)
  1 no response 1 no response
  • If a child is unable to speak as a result of damage to the speech centres of the brain (dysphasia), then a 'D' should be placed in the appropriate space on the assessment tool[1][2].
  • If a child has a tracheostomy or an endotracheal tube in situ, a 'T' should be marked in the appropriate space on the assessment tool[3][4]

1. Appleton R, Gibbs J (1998) Epilepsy in Childhood and Adolescence (2nd edition). London, Martin Dunitz Ltd
2. Shah S (1999) Neurological assessment (RCN Continuing Education). Nursing Standard 13(22): 49-56
3. Aucken, S., Crawford, B. (1998) Neurological assessment. In: Guerrero, D. (ed) Neuro-Oncology for Nurses. London: Whurr Publishers
4. Fischer J, Mathieson CThe history of the Glasgow Coma Scale: implications for practice. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2001 Feb;23(4):52-8. doi: 10.1097/00002727-200102000-00005.
[PMID: 11852950] [DOI: 10.1097/00002727-200102000-00005]
 

Cite this: Cite this: ICNApedia contributors.Glasgow Coma Scale. ICNApedia, The Child Neurology Knowledge Environment. 21 November 2024. Available at: https://icnapedia.org/knowledgebase/articles/glasgow-coma-scale Accessed  21 November 2024. 

Text is available under the Cc by nc sa iconCC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International; additional terms may apply.