Unraveling the Etiology of Pediatric Vertigo and Dizziness: A Tertiary Pediatric Center Experience

• Published in: Medicina
• Main Authors: Nina Božanić Urbančič, Domen Vozel, Jure Urbančič, Saba Battelino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Subjects: dizziness; vertigo; migraine disorders; interdisciplinary communication; headache; medulloblastoma
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/5/475
• ISSN: 1010-660X; 1648-9144

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Numerous authors have reported that the commonest type of vertigo in children is migraine-associated vertigo (vestibular migraine and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood—BPV). We aimed to provide the possible etiological background of vertigo and dizziness in Slovenian children. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A retrospective case series of pediatric vertigo and dizziness children referred to the tertiary pediatric otorhinolaryngology center from 2015 to 2020. Children received a complete audiological and vestibular workup and were referred to pediatric specialists depending on the clinical presentation. <i>Results</i>: Of 257 children (42% male, 58% female) aged 1–17 years (M = 10.9, SD = 4.3 years) in 19.1% vertigo and dizziness were classified as central, in 12.4% as a peripheral vestibular, in 10.9% as a hemodynamic, in 5.8% as a psychological and none as visual by pediatric neurologists, otorhinolaryngologists, cardiologists, psychologists or ophthalmologists, respectively. 40.8% (20) children with central vertigo had BPV (7.8% of all children) and 8.2% (4) migrainous vertigo. In 43.6% (112 children), the etiology remained unclassified. <i>Conclusions</i>: After a thorough multidisciplinary workup, the etiology of vertigo and dizziness was unraveled in the majority of children referred to our tertiary otorhinolaryngology center. The most common cause was central; however, in a considerable number, the etiology remained unclassified. The latter could be attributed to the self-limiting nature of vertigo spells. Hence, a child presenting with dizziness and vertigo requires a multidisciplinary approach, in which referral to a neurologist is, in most cases, essential.