Abstract:

Objective To explore the etiology of vertigo and dizziness in children and the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of chronic vertigo and dizziness. Methods The clinical diagnosis and treatment data of children with vertigo and dizziness in the Vertigo Center from January 2006 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, treatment, and prognosis of chronic vertigo and dizziness in children were analyzed. Results A total of 208 children with vertigo and dizziness (115 girls and 93 boys) were included, and the median age of onset was 9.8 years (14 months to 18 years). Among them, 34 patients (16.3%) had chronic vertigo and dizziness, and the median age of onset was 12.0 (7.0-17.0) years. Among the 34 children with chronic vertigo and dizziness, 20 children (58.9%) had psychophysiological dizziness, 7 were left-behind children, 5 were from single-parent families in urban areas, 3 were from families reorganized after parental divorce, and 5 were from normal families with initial vestibular peripheral diseases. There were 5 cases of orthostatic hypotension, 3 cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, 2 cases of encephalitis convalescence, 2 cases of traumatic emergency disorder, and 2 cases of other causes. The prognosis of 34 patients with chronic vertigo and dizziness was good after targeted treatment according to the etiology. Conclusions The etiology and prognosis of chronic vertigo and dizziness in children are quite different from those in adults. The etiology is mainly psychogenic vertigo and the prognosis is good. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and dizziness in children.

Key words: chronic vertigo and dizziness, psychological factor, multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, child