Peer Reviewed
When the vestibular system in children is disrupted it results in symptoms of vertigo or dizziness, oscillopsia or gaze instability, and delayed development or diminished balance and other motor abilities. Children who present with these symptoms may be screened for pediatric vestibular disorders by a vestibular healthcare professional.
This three-part series provides a brief review of the diagnoses known to affect vestibular function in children. We discuss common symptoms and diagnostic tests to quantify the extent of the child's impairment. We also discuss evidence-based treatments known to improve vestibular impairments.
Vestibular disorders in children are more common than once believed and can affect balance, vision during movement, mobility, school participation, and development. A wide range of diagnoses -- from vestibular migraine and concussion to hearing loss, congenital infections, structural inner ear anomalies, and systemic conditions -- can cause vestibular dysfunction in children. Recognizing the signs of vestibular dysfunction and understanding which diagnoses are associated with it is the first step toward appropriate testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
Clinicians can use fast, inexpensive screening tests to determine whether a child should be referred to a specialist for formal vestibular function testing. Early detection allows early intervention, preventing progressive developmental delays. The next article in this series outlines evidence-based interventions for treating gaze instability, motor, and balance impairments in children with vestibular dysfunction.
Children with vestibular-related impairments — whether from peripheral or central causes — can make meaningful improvements with individualized rehabilitation. Three evidence-based pillars — gaze stability exercises, static balance training, and dynamic balance training — work together to reduce dizziness, improve postural control, and restore participation in school, sport, and daily life. Early identification (see Parts I and II of this series) and early intervention are key. Treatment should be delivered by a PT or OT with specialty vestibular training; collaboration with other specialists is needed when medical or surgical management is also required. Families are essential partners: home programs, encouragement, and follow-through are critical to their child's recovery.
More than 1 in 20 U.S. children have dizziness and balance problems. Read more about the epidemiology of dizziness and balance problems in children in the United States from the National Institutes of Health.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to identify difficulties that your child may be experiencing because of his or her dizziness or unsteadiness. (Developed by Vanderbilt University)
The balance system involves many different systems, including vision, touch, and your inner ear. To help children understand all the different ways our bodies find balance, the Balance Builder Series breaks them down and uses animals to make it fun! Click each animal below for a playful explanation about of one part of the balance system, created by Step and Connect.
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