Evaluation of level of consciousness by the Glasgow coma scale in children with Reye's syndrome.

The Glasgow Coma Scale, which was designed to evaluate level of consciousness after head trauma, has been compared to the Lovejoy scale in 21 patients with Reye's syndrome. Like other investigators, we have noted a poorer prognosis in those patients with higher peak NH3 levels and rapid progression of disease. However, we have also noted that the Glasgow coma scale provides a better, earlier indicator of progressive central nervous system disease than the Lovejoy scale and, therefore, helps physicians caring for such patients to institute intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and vigorous measures for the control of elevated ICP earlier than they might otherwise.