Dizziness in Children

Dizziness can strike anyone at any age, but is common in adolescents. The cause of a rare, brief bout of dizziness often is never diagnosed; however, frequent or prolonged dizziness could be a symptom of an underlying condition, disorder, or disease.

Symptoms

• A child with dizziness can feel lightheaded or as if he, or the objects around him, are spinning; often he will feel off-balance. Some children may experience nausea and vomiting, especially those whose dizziness results from motion sickness.

Common Causes

• Infections of the inner ear can affect the body's balance system, causing dizziness. Children with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo experience brief bouts of dizziness when they move their head. Motion sickness, common in young children, can also cause dizziness.

Other Causes

• According to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, dizziness can also be caused by fever; low blood sugar; and neurological brain disorders, including migraines. Dizziness often precedes syncope--fainting from a sudden drop of blood pressure. Cincinnati Children's Hospital states that nearly 50 percent of college-aged students report experiencing syncope at least once in their lives.

Diagnosis

• A doctor will take a detailed medical history and examine the child, including the ears. If a serious disease or condition is suspected, more comprehensive tests may be recommended.

Treatment

• Antibiotics are prescribed for ear infections; if an underlying disease or disorder is the cause, those will be treated accordingly. Other medications are available for recurring dizziness with no known cause.