[Vestibular Assessment in Children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology and Otolaryngology
• Vestibular System Function and Dysfunction
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Dizziness is a common pediatric symptom with rising incidence, affecting 0.4%-15% of children.
• Migraine-associated vertigo constitutes up to 50% of pediatric cases, alongside peripheral vestibular disorders.
• Delayed diagnosis is frequent due to non-specific symptoms and challenges in pediatric symptom reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the significance of pediatric vestibular diagnostics.
• To propose a practical approach for assessing pediatric balance function.
• To emphasize early diagnosis for timely intervention in children with vestibular dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on pediatric vestibular disorders.
• Discussion of diagnostic challenges and available objective methods (e.g., vHIT, VEMPs).
• Exploration of the impact of vestibular function on child development.

Main Results:

• Vestibular disorders significantly impact cognitive and motor development, affecting spatial orientation, attention, and executive functions.
• Children with vestibular dysfunction may present with delayed motor milestones and impaired postural control.
• A standardized pediatric vestibular diagnostic protocol is currently lacking.

Conclusions:

• Vestibular disorders must be considered in the differential diagnosis for children with dizziness or motor delays.
• Early diagnosis is essential for implementing targeted interventions like vestibular physiotherapy.
• A structured approach to pediatric balance assessment is necessary to improve patient outcomes.