Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (PGCS)
Mark the child’s best response in each of the 3 categories. The description under each answer applies to infants and pre-verbal children (usually under 2 years).
Interpretation
The score is the sum of three components: eyes (1–4), verbal (1–5) and motor (1–6), giving 3–15. Record it with its components, e.g. E3 V4 M5 = 12, because they carry more information than the total. Severe: ≤ 8, moderate: 9–12, mild: 13–14.
Limitations
- In intubated children or those with swollen eyelids the verbal or eye response cannot be assessed — record this (e.g. “V: T”).
- Sedation, seizures, hypoglycaemia and hypothermia lower the score.
- Several paediatric versions exist; response descriptions differ slightly between guidelines.
Sources
- Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet 1974;2(7872):81–84. doi.org
- Holmes JF, Palchak MJ, MacFarlane T, Kuppermann N. Performance of the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale in children with blunt head trauma. Acad Emerg Med 2005;12(9):814–819. doi.org
- NICE guideline NG232: Head injury: assessment and early management. 2023. www.nice.org.uk
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This calculator is for education and does not replace a doctor’s assessment. Always interpret the result together with the history and examination.