Retrospective evaluation of children referred to the pediatric neurology department with complaints of vertigo/dizziness

INTRODUCTION: Vertigo/dizziness is a common symptom in childhood and adolescence. Although it is often not associated with an important underlying disease, sometimes it can indicate a serious illness. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, etiology, and clinical and laboratory findings of patients referred to the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic with complaints of vertigo/dizziness.
METHODS: The data of 109 patients who were referred to the Pediatric Neurology outpatient clinic between January 2019 and April 2021 with complaints of vertigo/dizziness were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS: Of the patients, 60 (55%) were female and 49 (45%) were male. The mean age was 12.5. Seven of the patients (6.4%) were between the ages of 2–5, 13 (11.9%) were between the ages of 5–10, and 89 (81.7%) were between the ages of 10–18. Etiological groups included orthostatic hypotension (23.9%), somatoform causes (15.6%), peripheral vertigo (vestibular neuritis) (11%), vitamin B12 deficiency (10.1%), migraine (8.3%), cardiac causes (4.6%), mastoiditis/sinusitis (4.6%), epileptic vertigo (2.8%), trauma (1.8%), demyelinating lesions (1.8%), benign paroxysmal vertigo (1.8%), hypoglycemia (0.9%), drug side effects (0.9%), visual problems (0.9%), and intracranial mass (0.9%). The most common complaints accompanying dizziness were headache (41.2%), blackout (36.7%), and nausea-vomiting (20.2%). A statistically significant difference was found between age groups in etiology (p<0.05). Benign paroxysmal vertigo and life-threatening causes (intracranial mass, demyelinating disease) were prominent in the age group of 2–5 years; migraine and sinusitis between the ages of 5–10 years; and orthostatic hypotension, somatoform problems, and peripheral vertigo between the ages of 10–18 years.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although the etiological spectrum of vertigo is quite broad, benign causes are more common. Causes prominent in the etiology differ according to the age range. In the presence of accompanying signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis should be made systematically for life-threatening conditions.