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Epidemiology of Dizziness and Balance Problems in Children in the United States: A Population-Based Study
Chuan-Ming Li1, Howard J Hoffman1, Bryan K Ward2
1Epidemiology and Statistics Program, Division of Scientific Programs, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD.
Insights
Dizziness and balance problems affect 5.3% of US children, with higher prevalence in older girls. Many experience significant symptoms, yet less than half receive healthcare, highlighting a need for improved services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dizziness and balance problems are common in children.
- Understanding their prevalence and risk factors is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the national prevalence of dizziness and balance problems in US children.
- To identify associated risk factors and healthcare utilization patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey Child Balance Supplement.
- Analyzed a nationally representative sample of 10,954 children aged 3-17 years.
- Employed logistic regression to assess associations with sociodemographic and health factors.
Main Results:
- 5.3% of US children (3.3 million) experience dizziness and balance problems.
- Prevalence increased with age and was higher in Non-Hispanic white females.
- 18.6% reported moderate to severe problems; 36.0% received healthcare, and 29.9% received treatment.
Conclusions:
- Identified key risk factors for childhood dizziness and balance issues.
- Findings support tracking the Healthy People 2020 goal for increased healthcare utilization.
- Highlights the need for targeted interventions and improved access to care for affected children.
Objective:
To study national prevalence of dizziness and balance problems in US children and explore associated risk factors and patterns of healthcare utilization.
Study Design:
A multistage, nationally representative, probability sample of children (n = 10,954; aged 3-17 years) was examined based on the 2012 National Health Interview Survey Child Balance Supplement. Parents were asked if during the past year their child was bothered by symptoms of dizziness and balance problems: vertigo (motion sensation), light-headedness/fainting, clumsiness/poor coordination, poor balance/unsteadiness when standing-up or walking, frequent falls, or other dizziness and balance problems. Logistic regression was used to examine associations with sociodemographic information, birth weight, developmental delays, and significant health conditions.
Results:
Prevalence of dizziness and balance problems was 5.3% (3.3 million US children); females, 5.7%, males, 5.0%. Non-Hispanic white (6.1%) had increased prevalence compared with Hispanic (4.6%) and non-Hispanic black (4.3%) children, P = .01. Prevalence increased with age, from 4.1% for children aged 3-5 years to 7.5% for children aged 15-17 years, P < .001. Even though the majority had symptoms rated as "no problem" or "a small problem," 18.6% (600,000 US children) had symptoms rated as "moderate," "big," or "very big" problems. Overall, 36.0% of children with dizziness and balance problems were seen by healthcare professionals during the past year and 29.9% received treatment. Among children with dizziness and balance problems rated as moderate/big/very big problems, 71.6% had seen healthcare professionals and 62.4% received treatment for dizziness and balance problems.
Conclusions:
The risk factors identified provide useful epidemiologic information about dizziness and balance problems in children and will be used in tracking the Healthy People 2020 goal to increase utilization of healthcare services for these children.
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