This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.

Glasgow Coma Scale (from 2 years)

Eye opening, verbal and motor response – total 3–15, E V M documented individually

Eye opening (U)

spontaneous – opens spontaneously 4 to sound – to voice or loud calling 3 to pressure – to fingertip stimulus 2 absent – no opening at any time, no confounding influences 1

Best verbal response (V)

oriented – correctly states name, place and date 5 confused – disoriented but comprehensible communication 4 Words – intelligible single words 3 Sounds – only moaning, groaning 2 none – no audible response and no confounding factors 1

Best motor response (M)

follows commands – follows two-step command 6 localizes – brings hand above the clavicle in response to head/neck stimulus 5 normal flexion – flexes arm quickly at the elbow, features not predominantly abnormal 4 abnormal flexion – flexes arm, features clearly predominantly abnormal 3 extends – extends arm at elbow 2 none – no arm movement and no confounding factors 1

Severity of traumatic brain injury by GCS

Total	Designation according to source
13–15	mild TBI (GCS 13–15)
9–12	moderate TBI (GCS 9–12)
3–8	severe TBI (GCS ≤ 8)

AWMF 024-018: “Mild TBI is assigned a GCS of 13–15, moderate TBI a GCS of 9–12, and severe TBI a GCS of ≤ 8.” The guideline emphasizes that severity is of secondary importance for the care of the current patient – what matters is the current clinical-neurological finding and its course. The GCS instructions themselves name no grades.

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Sources

Glasgow Coma Scale: guide (GCS Assessment Aid, German version) – eye opening, best verbal response, best motor response Institute of Neurological Sciences, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; © Sir Graham Teasdale 2015, 2015. Official survey instructions of the originating institution (freely accessible, full text read)
S2k guideline traumatic brain injury in childhood and adolescence (AWMF registry number 024-018), 2022, version March 2023 – chapter symptoms (severity grades) Society for Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care (GNPI) with DGKJ, DGKCH, DGNC et al., 2022. Guideline (freely accessible, full text read)
Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale (Lancet 2:81–84) Teasdale G, Jennett B, 1974. Original publication (not freely accessible – wording via GCS-ANLEITUNG-2015)

Scientific basis last reviewed: September 2026.

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Note

Calculation aid for healthcare professionals. Percentiles and z-scores describe the position of a measured value in the reference population; clinical assessment remains with the treating physician.