Vertigo and dizziness as major complaints in childhood are probably present more often than formerly thought (6, 7).

Vertigo is a disorder of space sensitivity, characterized by an illusory and unpleasant sensation of movement of the surroundings or self (5). Dizziness is a disturbed sense of relationship to space, or unsteadiness with a feeling of movement (4).

We should remember that ”vertigo” is rather an abstract concept for a small child, who is unable to distinguish between vertigo and, for example, a feeling of fear. A child under 7 years of age suffering vertigo very often reports a headache (1, 9).

Vertigo is a complaint which adult patients report to doctors. However, the very young child cannot make such a report, and information therefore comes from the parents´ observation of their child´s behaviour. This relates to locomotion and to manual dexterity, for example (6).

Vertigo and dizziness may take on very different shapes and aspects, so that it is often difficult to identify its etiopathogenesis. A careful anamnesis always has an essential role in the diagnosis of vertigo, together with evaluation of clinical signs and diagnostic tests (3-6).

The purpose of the study was to review the clinical pesentation, diagnostic methods and conditions causing vertigo and dizziness in children.

In this paper we have analyzed two groups of patients referred to specialists (usually by paediatric doctors) with a diagnosis of vertigo or dizziness.

A – 21 children (aged 6-14 yrs) with vertigo or dizziness as the presenting symptom were diagnosed in the ENT Department during a 5-year period from 1995 to 2000;

B – At the same time (1995-2000) another 49 children (aged 2-14 yrs) suffering from vertigo were treated at the Outpatient Clinic in the Department of Paediatric Neurology.

Historical information provides the most important data in the diagnosis of dizzy patients. Important facts can be obtained not only from parents but (more frequently than expected) from the child. The age of the patient determines the quantity and quality of information. The following points are most important (3-5):

– perinatal problems,

– neurological and muscular problems,

– history of medication,

– prior otological disease and hearing loss,

– history of head trauma,

– description of the attacks; onset, duration, and frequency,

– association of attacks with nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness,

– tendency to veer in a particular direction,

– is the child asymptomatic between attacks?

– associated headaches or visual, motor, or speech problems,

– family history of migraine, epilepsy, hearing loss, or vertigo.

Evaluation of a dizzy child entails close co-operation between the otolaryngologist, paediatrician, neurologist and ophtalmologist (3, 5). A comprehensive otological examination in conjunction with a general physical evaluation and complete neurological examination is essential (8). Many clues can be obtained by observing the child before and during the examination. Otoscopy will identify infections or inflammatory processes of the ear and mastoid structures (6). Use of the pneumatic otoscope may elicit a positive fistula test. Careful evaluation of the cranial nerves, cerebellar testing, a Romberg test, an augmented Romberg test, and gait testing must be carried out (4). Eye movements and nystagmus should be observed normally and by using Frenzel lenses (5). A general physical examination should cover cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms, because associated symptoms may be misinterpreted as dizziness. Audiological and tympanometric evaluation, and bithermal calorific testing is essential in all patients. In some cases electronystagmography, electroencephalography, or computer tomography of the brain or temporal bone are necessary to obtain a diagnosis. Investigations should be selected in a logical manner, the clinician´s own judgement determining which child requires full vestibular assessment, CT scan, or EEG, to make or exclude a particular diagnosis (3).

Twenty-one patients, (11 females and 10 males), complaining mainly of vertigo or dizziness were studied retrospectively. The minimum age of patients was 6 years and the maximum 14 years. Along with vertigo or dizziness, 9 children had associated headaches, 11 had nausea and vomiting, and 3 patients had only nausea. Two patients with headaches typical of migraine also had photopsia and scotoma during attacks.

Six children, before the onset of vertigo or dizziness, had head trauma, and 4 had suffered from a mumps infection. Abnormal findings on physical examinations were identified in 2 patients, being nystagmus and a positive Romberg test. In 4 children only nystagmus was observed, and 1 child had a positive Romberg test. Otoscopy revealed 3 patients with secretory otitis media. A bithermal calorific test was done in all patients, 7 cases revealing a unilateral weakness of response. Positional nystagmus or vertigo was observed in 3 cases.

Of 7 abnormal audiograms, we identified 3 showing bilateral conductive hearing loss, and 2 bilateral and 1 unilateral total deafness. Abnormal tympanograms (type B) consistent with otitis media were identified in 3 patients.

CT scans were performed in 14 cases. In 2 patients this revealed an abnormality; 1 after trauma and 1 due to perinatal anoxia. An abnormal EEG was noted in 4 patients.

Vertigo in children can be caused by many disorders. In our review peripheral causes were more common than central causes.

In our material trauma appears as the main cause of vertigo or dizziness in 3 patients. Secretory otitis media was identified in 3 children. Two patients were considered to have vertigo and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to mumps infection.

In 1 child we diagnosed a unilateral peripheral weakness of vestibular function after infection of the alimentary tract, and 1 child had a unilateral weakness of unknown aetiology.

One patient had unilateral weakness and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after gentamycin intake. In one case we diagnosed labyrinthitis during acute otitis media.

A further patient was considered to have dizziness of central origin after bacterial meningitis, and another due to perinatal anoxia.

In 2 children dizziness occured as a migraine syndrome.

The form known as PBV is very controversial. Its diagnosis is based on the exclusion of all other forms and on the fact that attacks are repeated in the absence of any evident association with other symptoms (3, 10). In our series BPV was diagnosed in 3 patients. Two patients had vertigo or dizziness of unknown aetiology.

Vertigo or dizziness of peripheral origin:

Secretory otitis media – 3

Unilateral peripheral vestibular lesion – 7

mumps infection – 2

alimentary tract infection – 1

labyrinthitis during OMA – 1

gentamycin intake – 1

unknown aetiology – 1

head trauma – 1

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood – 3

Vertigo or dizziness of central origin:

Migraine – 2

Head trauma – 2

Bacterial menigitis – 1

Perinatal anoxia – 2

unknown aetiology – 2

We observed three groups of patients:

I – preschool age (2-5 yrs.) – 14 children

II – younger school age (6-9 yrs.) – 15 children

III – school age (10-14 yrs.) – 20 children

Diagnoses were made based on the results of:

– anamnesis and neurological examinations in cases of cerebral palsy and Locomotive disease,

– anamnesis and neurological examination, computer tomography and otoneurological tests in cases of tumours, hydrocephalus, Arnold-Chiari syndrome, pseudotumour, or trauma of the head,

– anamnesis and neurological examination computer tomography, and electroencephalography supported diagnoses of epilepsy and migraine,

– anamnesis and neurological examination, computer tomography and electroencephalography and otoneurological examination in cases of otitis and ear wax obstruction,

– anamnesis plus neurological examination, computer tomography, plus electroencephalography and otoneurological examination plus (sometimes) Evoked potentials and RMI, was neccessary for a differential diagnosis in patients suffering from Benign paroxismal vertigo and Sclerosis Multiplex.

We can see that in our diagnostic pathway, patients with B.P.V. required many more tests than, for example, those with epilepsy.

After initial analysis of our group of patients, we excluded 6 patients from further observation: four with atonic attacks (Lennox-Gastaut S.), one with the cerebellar form of cerebral palsy, and one with acute cerebellar ataxia.

In total, we diagnosed 43 children.

Group I – (3-5 yrs.) N = 8

During (or after) virus infection – 2

(Enterovirus, Mumps)

Hakim´s syndrome – 1

(normotensive hydrocephalus)

Secretory otitis media – 1

Acute otitis media – 1

Benign paroxysmal vertigo – 1

Arnold-Chiari syndrome – 1

Unknown aetiology – 1

Vertigo of central origin – 2

Vertigo of peripheral origin – 6

Group II – (6-9 yrs.) N = 15

Epilepsy – 2

(”tornado” epilepsy, partial epileptic attack)

Secretory otitis media – 2

Cerebral commotions – 2

Craniocerebral trauma – 1

Benign paroxysmal vertigo – 2

Mumps – 1

Cerebral Pseudotumour – 1

Locomotive disease – 1

Overdosing of Phenytoin – 1

Unknown aetiology – 2

Vertigo of central origin – 9

Vertigo of peripheral origin – 6

Group III – (10-14 yrs.) N = 20

Skull trauma – 4

Migraine – 3

Focal epilepsy – 3

Recklinghauser´s disease – 1

Secretory otitis media – 1

Ear wax – 1

Arachnoid cyst in posterior cavity

of cerebrum – 1

Sclerosis Multiplex – 1

Unknown aetiology – 5

Vertigo of central origin – 15

Vertigo of peripheral origin – 5

In our review (group I + II + III), central causes were more common than peripheral causes (26 to 17).

In summary, vertigo or dizziness in our patients was caused by: head trauma in 7 cases, partial epilepsy in 5 cases, migraine in 3 children, otitis in 3 children, BPV in 3 and childhood infection in 3 cases. Unknown aetiology was found in 8 children. In the remaining patients vertigo problems had a different aetiology, representing each by 1 case. Disturbances in the balance tests were observed in over 40% of patients. Nystagmus was found in all patients suffering from Benign Paraxysmal vertigo, sometimes in Epileptic children, and after head trauma. After skull trauma we also observed positional vertigo. The most common symptom of dysfunction of the vestibular organ was unilateral asymmetry of the vestibular activity.

1.In the paediatric patient population, vertigo and dizziness are not rare symptoms.

2.Vertigo caused by dysfunction of the central part of the vestibular organ occurred in Group B patients, more often (60.5%) than dysfunction of the peripheral part of this organ.

3.In Group A, peripheral causes were more common (57.2%) than central causes (42.8%).

4.In our material the aetiology of vertigo and dizziness was often connected with other diseases of the central nervous system.

5.For a diagnostic procedure in vertigo and dizziness in childhood, it is suggested that:

a – a very detailed history of problems is taken,

b – neurological examinations are carried out,

c – and that otoneurological tests are done.

6.Immediately after the results of analysis of the above tests, a decision should be made on further expensive diagnostic procedures, for example RMI or PE.