Blantyre Coma Scale (children < 12 years)

Clinical description

All patients fulfilling the clinical diagnosis of severe malaria (i.e. a patient with malaria and a reduced level of consciousness) should be assessed using a coma scale to follow the patient's response to treatment. The Blantyre Coma Scale is used for assessing the level of consciousness in children less than 12 years old.

The scoring can be done quickly and easily by any health worker. The maximum score is five. A score is assigned for each of the three responses (eye movement, verbal and motor response to a painful stimulus). The three scores are then added. The maximum coma score for a fully conscious child is 5/5. A totally unresponsive child scores 0/5.