Dizziness in childhood

Dizziness in childhood is not an infrequent symptom. Accurate history taking and close co-operation between otologist, paediatrician 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, ENG, calorics and CT scan. The conditions causing dizziness in children are discussed and are illustrated with case histories from our series of 27 children. Dizziness of unknown aetiology, serous otitis media and benign paroxysmal vertigo were the most common diagnostic labels applied to our 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.