DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS A differential diagnosis for children presenting in or near coma is shown in Table 17.2 The more commonly encountered causes of coma are listed in Table 17.3 These most likely causes of coma should be considered in every patient presenting with this condition Life-threatening causes of ALOC are listed in Table 17.4 and must be considered in every patient More than one problem may be present simultaneously; for example, a victim of submersion injury may incur head trauma when falling into a swimming pool, or a deeply postictal patient with known seizure disorder may have ingested a toxin TABLE 17.1 GLASGOW COMA SCALE AND MODIFICATIONS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN