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Published on: June 2, 2014

Is benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood a migraine precursor?

Angel Batuecas-Caletrío1, Víctor Martín-Sánchez, Cristina Cordero-Civantos

  • 1Otoneurology Unit, ENT Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, IBSAL, Spain. abatuc@yahoo.es

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|February 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC) often resolves by age 5 but may predict future migraine. Children with BPVC show a higher incidence of migraine later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Vestibular Disorders
  • Migraine Research

Background:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC) is a frequent cause of pediatric vertigo, presenting as recurrent, sudden episodes.
  • BPVC episodes resolve spontaneously within minutes to hours and have been historically linked to childhood migraine equivalents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term outcomes of children diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC).
  • To determine the incidence of migraine and inner ear disorders in BPVC patients.
  • To analyze family medical history, particularly for migraine, in relation to BPVC.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 27 patients diagnosed with BPVC between 1991 and 1997 was followed for at least 15 years.
  • Data collected included the onset and resolution ages of BPVC, follow-up duration, and subsequent diagnoses.
  • Analysis focused on the incidence of migraine, inner ear disorders, and family history of migraine.

Main Results:

  • The average age of BPVC onset was 3 years and 11 months, with spontaneous resolution around 5 years and 7 months.
  • During an average follow-up of 18 years, 9 patients developed adult migraine.
  • A significant finding was that 19 patients had a family history of migraine.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of migraine in individuals with a history of BPVC is notably higher than in the general population.
  • These findings suggest that Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC) may serve as a precursor to migraine during childhood.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms connecting BPVC and migraine development.
Abstract

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