Electronystagmography in normal children

The use of electronystagmography (ENG) is well established in the diagnosis of imbalance in adults. It is now recognised that children with vertigo merit similar investigation. Experience in our own department has shown that children tolerate the ENG test procedure providing a few minor adjustments are made to the methodology. In a previous study, it was shown that normal adult data cannot be used in the interpretation of ENG tracing in children. This study reports the findings in 35 normal children. The incidence of spontaneous and positional nystagmus was higher than in adults. The vestibulo-ocular reflex to rotational and caloric tests is also different, and the normal limits for these tests are defined.