Unrecognized infantile Meniere's disease

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatrics
• Neurology

Background:

• Meniere's disease typically manifests in middle age.
• Early childhood or infant onset is less commonly recognized.

Observation:

• Two patients experienced recurrent vomiting and fluctuating hearing loss from infancy.
• Initial diagnoses included gastroenteritis or meningitis, delaying Meniere's disease suspicion.

Findings:

• The patients developed severe sensorineural hearing loss.
• Meniere's disease should be considered in infants and children presenting with vomiting and hearing loss.

Implications:

• Early Meniere's disease diagnosis in children is crucial for timely intervention.
• Undiagnosed childhood Meniere's disease may contribute to later sensorineural hearing loss.