Objective: To review the clinical characteristic of vertigo in
children
Method: A retrospective observational study was done on
children who presented to a specialised vertigo clinic over
period of six years. The patients’ case notes were retrieved
from the medical record unit and reviewed. All patients were
seen by an otologist who thoroughly took down history,
completed ear, nose, throat and neurological examination.
Result: Seven different causes were identified in 21 patients
(86%) while no diagnosis was reached in three patients
(12.5%). The most common cause of giddiness was
childhood paroxysmal vertigo (33%) followed by benign
paroxysmal positional vertigo (16.6%) and sensorineural
hearing loss (12.5%). Other causes include chronic
suppurative otitis media and anxiety disorder each
accounting for 8.3%, one case of cholesteatoma and another
case of ear wax each accounting for 4.1%.
Conclusion: It is not uncommon for the children to be affected
by vertigo. Management of vertigo in children should include
a detailed history, clinical examination, audiological and
neurological evaluation. Imaging should be performed in
selected patients. The main cause of vertigo in our series is
CPV. The outcome of most of the patients is good.
Vertigo
;
Child