Recovery of consciousness and life expectancy of children in a vegetative state

Abstract

The vegetative state does occur in children and is most commonly due to acquired traumatic and non-traumatic injuries. However, neurometabolic and degenerative diseases, as well as certain developmental brain malformations such as anencephaly, can also cause this condition. There are limited data available in children concerning recovery of consciousness and function from the vegetative state as well as life expectancy. This review concentrates on these issues and is based primarily on the data published in the Multi-Society Task Force Report on PVS which was published in 1994 as well as other epidemiological studies. Children in a vegetative state do have a poor prognosis for recovery of consciousness and function and do have a shortened life expectancy. Further research is needed to better understand what variables might contribute to recovery and what therapies might be of benefit.