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Detecting Vestibular Deficits in Early Childhood: Toward a Screening Tool for Caregivers
Lena Van den Bossche1, Leen Maes2,3, Frederic Acke1,3
1Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Insights
Caregivers can identify early signs of vestibular deficits in infants through specific motor challenges. These red flags, such as poor head control and delayed sitting, can aid in developing screening tools for early detection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Vestibular deficits in children can impact motor development and overall well-being.
- Early identification of vestibular dysfunction is crucial for timely intervention.
- Caregiver observations provide valuable insights into a child's developmental status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify caregiver-reported motor difficulties that discriminate children with vestibular dysfunction (VD).
- To explore age-specific red flags for early detection of vestibular deficits in infants.
- To inform the development of a screening tool for at-risk children.
Main Methods:
- Parents of 6, 12, and 24-month-old children completed a Vestibular Infant Screening Questionnaire and the Bayley-III motor subscale.
- Children were categorized into confirmed VD, vestibular risk with normal status, and typically developing groups.
- Caregiver responses were analyzed across age groups and diagnostic categories.
Main Results:
- Parents of children with VD reported more motor difficulties compared to control groups.
- At 6 months, poor head control, limited prone stability, and delayed sitting were significant indicators.
- At 12 months, increased need for carrying, and at 24 months, difficulties with walking and uneven surfaces were noted.
- The Bayley-III motor subscale did not differentiate between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver reports of specific motor challenges are valuable for identifying children with vestibular deficits.
- Age-specific motor red flags identified by parents can guide early detection efforts.
- These findings support the development of caregiver-based screening tools for pediatric vestibular dysfunction.
Aim:
To identify caregiver-reported discriminative items for the early detection of children at risk for vestibular deficits.
Methods:
Parents of children aged 6, 12, or 24 months completed a self-developed Vestibular Infant Screening Questionnaire and the motor subscale of the Bayley-III questionnaire. Participants were categorized into children with confirmed vestibular dysfunction (VD), children with vestibular risk factors but normal vestibular status (P), and typically developing children (N). Responses were compared across groups and age categories.
Results:
A total of 390 questionnaires were analyzed (VD: 57, P: 255, N: 78). Parents in the VD group reported more motor difficulties than those in the P and N group. At 6 months, challenges included poor head control (p = .001), limited postural stability in prone position (p < .001), and delayed sitting (p < .001). At 12 months, children with VD ask more to be carried (p = .008). By 24 months, difficulties with walking (p = .016) and walking on uneven surfaces (p = .004) were more prevalent. Bayley-III motor subscale scores did not show significant differences between groups (p > .05).
Conclusion:
Parents consistently reported age-specific motor difficulties in children with VD. These findings highlight caregiver-reported red flags that could guide the development of a screening tool to identify children at risk for vestibular deficits.
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