Scientific Study

Pediatric Vestibular Disorders

| Diagnosis & Treatment | Types of Vestibular Disorders | Pediatric Vestibular Disorders

Article Summary

Pediatric vestibular disorders result in vertigo, gaze instability, and delayed development or diminished balance and other motor abilities. This three-part series provides a brief review of the diagnoses known to affect vestibular function in children.

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Vestibular disorders affect children

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.

Part I: Incidence, Symptoms & Possible Diagnoses – Parents and pediatric health care professionals should be aware of the signs and symptoms of vestibular disorders. This enables referrals to appropriate specialists, who can diagnose and treat them.
Part II: Assessment – Clinicians can use easy and inexpensive screening tests to determine whether a child should be referred to an otolaryngologist or audiologist for testing to determine whether or not the child has vestibular dysfunction.
Part III: Treatment – Based on results of screening and/or diagnostic testing, treatment – both medical and rehabilitation – should be prescribed.
Research: 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.
Pediatric Dizziness Handicap Inventory – 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)

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Tests For Diagnosing Vestibular Disorders

The inner ear’s vestibular organs and the associated nerves and brain centers form a complex system that serves many functions and can be affected by a number of outside systems. A thorough evaluation of the inner ear may therefore require several different kinds of tests.

Doctors use information from a person’s medical history and findings from a physical examination as a basis for ordering diagnostic tests to assess the vestibular system function and to rule out alternative causes of symptoms. Most people tolerate these tests well. However, sometimes the tests are fatiguing and can result in temporary unsteadiness.

Some diagnostic tests may include:
– Electro/Video-nystagmomography (ENG/VNG)
– Rotation tests
– Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)
– Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)
– Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)
– Audiometry (hearing tests)
– Otoacoustic Emission (OAE)
– Electrocochleography (ECog)
– Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR)
– Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
– Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT/CT)
– Other tests may include blood work, allergy tests, and vision tests

Your Balance System

Good balance is often taken for granted. Most people don’t find it difficult to walk across a gravel driveway, transition from walking on a sidewalk to grass, or get out of bed in the middle of the night without stumbling. However, with impaired balance such activities can be extremely fatiguing and sometimes dangerous. Symptoms that accompany the unsteadiness can include dizziness, vertigo, hearing and vision problems, and difficulty with concentration and memory.

Vestibular Symptoms

The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements. If the system is damaged by disease, aging, or injury, vestibular disorders can result, and are often associated with one or more of these symptoms, among others:

– Dizziness
– Imbalance
– Vertigo
– Tinnitus
– Hearing loss
– Brain fog
– Vision impairment
– Cognitive changes

And more…