Dizziness in childhood

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Abstract
Dizziness in childhood is not an infrequent symptom. Accurate history taking and close cooperation between otologist, pediatrician and neurologist are necessary in the approach to the dizzy child. Most cases of childhood dizziness settle in time and investigations should be carefully selected; those with severe and persistent dizziness or ataxia should be thoroughly investigated including: EEG [electroencephalogram], ENG [electronystagmogram] calorics and CT [computed tomography] scan. The conditions causing dizziness in children are discussed and are illustrated with case histories from our series of 27 children. Dizziness of unknown etiology, serous otitis media and benign paroxysmal vertigo were the most common diagnostic labels applied to these patients. Treatment is rarely necessary but dimenhydrinate or a labyrinthine sedative in those with troublesome vertigo, or the adjustment of the medical regime in those epileptics on phenytoin, may be beneficial. Surgical intervention is only required in those with an operable lesion.

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