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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the pediatric population

Anat Kesler1, Aviva Fattal-Valevski

  • 1Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. kesler@netvision.net.il

Journal of Child Neurology
|January 28, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Pseudotumor cerebri, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is rare in children. Unlike adults, prepubertal children with this condition are not predominantly female and are less likely to be obese.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), is a neurological condition.
  • IIH is characterized by increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause.
  • While common in adult females, IIH in children presents differently.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct clinical features of PTC/IIH in prepubertal versus pubertal children.
  • To compare the characteristics of IIH in pediatric patients with those reported in adult populations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of patients aged 16 years and younger diagnosed with PTC/IIH.
  • Analysis of demographic data, including age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).
  • Comparison of IIH features between prepubertal and pubertal patient groups.

Main Results:

  • The study included 27 pediatric patients (mean age 10.9 years; 13 males, 14 females).
  • Obesity was present in 59% of patients.
  • The prepubertal group (n=13) showed a male-to-female ratio of 8:5, contrasting with the pubertal group (n=14) with a ratio of 5:9.
  • IIH in prepubertal children was not predominantly female and showed no association with obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric IIH is rare and exhibits distinct characteristics compared to adult cases.
  • Prepubertal children represent a unique subgroup with IIH, differing in sex distribution and obesity association.
  • The findings highlight the need for age-specific diagnostic and management approaches for IIH in children.

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