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Published on: August 30, 2019
Benign paroxysmal vertigo in childhood
Mirjana Kostić1, Robert Trotić, Ksenija Ribarić Jankes
1Croatian Institute for Health Insurance, Zagreb, Croatia. mirjana.kostic@hzzo.hr
Insights
Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) in children is often missed, despite vertigo being common. This paper details the clinical presentation of childhood BPV, including examination findings between vertigo episodes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Vestibular Disorders
Background:
- Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) is a common cause of vertigo in adults, but its presentation in children is less understood.
- Vertigo and balance disorders can manifest in children, yet are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked.
- Early recognition of pediatric BPV is crucial for appropriate management and to prevent potential developmental impacts.
Observation:
- This study presents four pediatric cases of benign paroxysmal vertigo.
- Clinical examination findings between vertigo attacks were documented for each case.
- The observations highlight the subtle and sometimes atypical manifestations of BPV in the pediatric population.
Findings:
- Childhood BPV often presents with symptoms that can be mistaken for other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- Specific clinical signs observed between episodes can aid in identifying pediatric BPV.
- The described cases illustrate the variability in the clinical picture of BPV during childhood.
Implications:
- Increased awareness among clinicians regarding the presentation of BPV in children is necessary.
- Implementing standardized diagnostic approaches for pediatric vertigo can improve recognition rates.
- Further research into the long-term effects and specific treatments for childhood BPV is warranted.
Abstract:
The aim of the paper is to describe the clinical picture of benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) in childhood. BPV in childhood often goes unrecognized in spite of the fact that vertigo and balance disorders are not uncommon in children. Four cases are described with clinical examination findings between the attacks.
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