In partnership with Primary Children’s Hospital

Lightheadedness and fainting

What causes lightheadedness What should I do if my child becomes and fainting? lightheaded or faints? Lightheadedness and fainting are common among If your child becomes lightheaded or faints, children and teens. Lightheadedness and fainting immediately get more blood to their brain. To do usually happen when there is not enough blood this, help your child lay down and raise their legs getting to your child’s brain for a short time. above the head. Your child can also sit down with This can happen when your child: their head between the knees. •• Does not drink enough water Teach your child to sit or lie down when they feel •• Skips meals lightheaded. Counter-pressure techniques can also help prevent fainting: •• Stands up too fast •• Crossing legs and squeezing the leg muscles until •• Stands for too long without moving around the lightheaded feeling goes away •• Has their hair combed or brushed while standing •• Gripping hands and trying to pull them apart •• Gets too hot (including staying too long in hot and down showers and hot tubs) How can lightheadedness and •• Holds their breath forcefully or too long fainting be prevented? •• Has low red blood cell counts (anemia) To prevent your child from becoming lightheaded and fainting, have your child: Lightheadedness and fainting are rarely caused by •• Drink more water (their urine should be clear) serious medical problems.

1 •• Eat more salt •• Needed CPR after fainting •• Eat healthy meals often enough to avoid •• Had a significant injury from fainting getting too hungry •• Fainted while exercising •• Avoid caffeine •• Fainted because of fear, sound, or noise •• Avoid standing in one position for a long time •• Did not feel dizzy or lightheaded before fainting •• Stand up slowly after sitting or lying down •• Smelled something odd or felt something rise in •• Avoid getting too hot from hot tubs or their abdomen before fainting standing too long in a hot shower •• Had chest pounding, pain, or pressure •• Sit when having their hair brushed or combed before fainting by someone else •• Jerked their body for 1 minute or more Boys who faint often should sit on the toilet to after fainting urinate, especially in the morning. If your child faints •• An abnormal heart or neurologic test often even with proper water and salt intake, ask their healthcare provider about compression stockings. •• An abnormal electrocardiogram Should my child see a healthcare •• Family history of unexplained sudden death, heart rhythm problems, or seizures provider for lightheadedness or fainting? •• History of brain or cardiac injury or disease These risk factors suggest a more serious cause for •• Metabolic or kidney disease fainting? Call your child’s healthcare provider if •• Peripheral or autonomic neuropathy your child: •• Significant developmental delay

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