Neurology
Glasgow Coma Scale (adult and paediatric)
GCS with the paediatric version for younger children, reported as E, V and M.
For education. Check against your unit's guidance and a second clinician before use.
Choose a response for eyes, verbal and motor.
Before you use this
- Always report the three parts as well as the total: the motor score carries the most information.
- A GCS of 8 or less, or a fall of 2 or more points, needs urgent senior review.
- Use a central stimulus (such as trapezius pinch or supraorbital pressure) to test responses to pain.
How this is calculated
- GCS = eyes (1–4) + verbal (1–5) + motor (1–6), from 3 to 15.
- The paediatric version changes the verbal and motor descriptions for children who can't yet talk or follow commands.
- If a part can't be tested, it is recorded as T (for example V T when intubated) and no total is given.
Sources
- Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness: a practical scale. Lancet 1974;2:81–4.
- NICE guideline NG232. Head injury: assessment and early management (2023).
- Advanced Life Support Group. Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS). Wiley-Blackwell (paediatric GCS).
Checked by PICUlearn, 21 Sept 2026.