Comprehensive vestibular and balance testing in the dizzy pediatric population

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Vestibular Disorders
• Audiology

Background:

• Balance and vestibular disorders affect children, necessitating specialized evaluation.
• A tertiary care setting provides comprehensive diagnostic capabilities for pediatric balance issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the range of balance disorders in children evaluated at a specialized vestibular laboratory.
• To identify common diagnoses within the pediatric population presenting with balance problems.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 132 children evaluated between 2003 and 2007.
• Analysis of audiometric, vestibular, and balance test results.
• Review of final diagnoses for all pediatric patients.

Main Results:

• Peripheral vestibulopathy (29.5%) and migraine/benign recurrent vertigo of childhood (24.2%) were the most common diagnoses.
• Other significant diagnoses included motor/developmental delay (10.6%), traumatic brain injury (9.8%), and central nervous system structural lesions (9.1%).
• A diagnosis was achieved in most of the 132 evaluated children.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral vestibular deficits and migraine are primary contributors to pediatric balance disorders.
• A multidisciplinary approach facilitates accurate diagnosis of vertigo and imbalance in children.