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Positional Vertigo in Children

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is considered a vestibulor disorder by medical professionals. It causes much the same effects in children as it does in adults. When it happens, children will feel a brief bought of dizziness that ranges from mild to intense. It usually occurs when there is a change in head position.

  1. Cause

    • Positional vertigo in children happens when debris, called otoconia, is collected in the inner ear. Otoconia is made up of small crystals of calcium carbonate . When the child moves his head, the debris shifts and sends a signal to the brain causing dizziness. In children, positional vertigo usually occurs after a physical trauma like a fall or sports injury.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of positional vertigo in children can range from developmental and reflex delays to hearing loss. They may also have abnormal movement patterns, trouble with hand-eye or eye-foot coordination and fall more often than usual. Children with vertigo often have problems with simple tasks like riding a bike, climbing stairs or hopping.

      Nausea, blurred vision, vomiting and lightheadedness are also signs of vertigo.

    When to see a doctor

    • Children should see a physician if they have trouble speaking, severe headaches, numbness or double vision.

    Treatment

    • Hearing tests and age-specific assessments may be done on a child to determine if they have positional vertigo. If diagnosed with the condition, therapists begin vestibular-therapy exercises. Children usually respond quicker to this treatment than adults because their neurological systems adapt quicker. The therapy can reduce or even eliminate vertigo by helping with balance and development in children.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • Because positional vertigo can happen at anytime, parents need to work with their child's physician to find out how to manage symptoms effectively. In addition, children should always have good lighting at night, sit down immediately if they feel dizzy and, in some cases, a cane may be needed to keep their balance.

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