The Blantyre coma scale is a modification of the Glasgow coma scale suitable to use in preverbal children. The scale uses motor and crying responses to pain and includes the ability to watch. It can be used to assess young children with cerebral malaria.
Response
Findings
Score
best motor response
localizes painful stimulus (pressure with blunt end of pencil on sternum or supraorbital ridge)
2
withdraws limb from painful stimulus (pressure with horizontal pencil on nail bed of finger or toe)
1
no response or inappropriate response
0
best verbal response
cries appropriately with painful stimulus, or, if verbal, speaks
2
moan or abnormal cry with painful stimulus
1
no vocal response to painful stimulus
0
eye movement
watches or follows (e.g., mother's face)
1
fails to watch or follow
0
Blantyre coma scale =
= (best motor response score) + (best verbal response score) + (eye movement score)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0 (poor)
• maximum score: 5 (good)
• abnormal: score <= 4
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