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Published on: August 30, 2019
Evaluation and treatment of vestibular dysfunction in children
Rose Marie Rine1, Sylvette Wiener-Vacher
1Specialty Therapy Source LLC, Jacksonville, FL, USA. specialtytherapy@bellsouth.net
Insights
Vestibular dysfunction in children, often present from birth, significantly impacts motor skills and balance. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for recovery, as spontaneous improvement is unlikely.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Vestibular dysfunction present from birth is more debilitating in children than in adults.
- Unlike adults, children with early-onset vestibular dysfunction require intervention for functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview the causes and impairments associated with pediatric vestibular dysfunction.
- To describe diagnostic methods and evidence-based interventions for children's vestibular impairments.
Main Methods:
- Review of common etiologies and clinical presentations of vestibular dysfunction in children.
- Evaluation of screening and diagnostic techniques.
- Assessment of medical and rehabilitation interventions.
Main Results:
- Vestibular dysfunction is more prevalent in children than previously recognized.
- Impairments include deficits in motor development, balance, and reading abilities.
- Dysfunction can stem from central or peripheral lesions with distinct clinical features.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive vestibular function testing in children is critical for diagnosis and intervention, despite diagnostic advances.
- Early identification and management of vestibular dysfunction are essential for mitigating long-term impacts on development.
Introduction:
The effect of vestibular dysfunction since birth is more debilitating than that attained later in life, and unlike adults, children with vestibular dysfunction since or shortly after birth do not recover function without intervention.
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the etiology of vestibular dysfunction in children as well as the related impairments, and to describe testing methods and evidence based interventions to ameliorate the vestibular related impairments in children.
Summary:
In recent years, investigations have revealed that vestibular dysfunction is more common in children than previously thought, with consequent impairments in motor development, balance and reading abilities. The dysfunction may be due to central or peripheral lesions, each with distinct presentation of symptoms and test results. Common etiologies and clinical presentation of vestibular dysfunction in children are reviewed; appropriate screening and diagnostic techniques and efficacious medical and rehabilitation interventions are presented.
Conclusion:
Despite advances in clinical and diagnostic testing of vestibular function in children and infants, testing of vestibular function is not typically done. Comprehensive testing of signs and symptoms is critical for diagnosis and implementation of appropriate interventions.
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