Vestibular Pathology in Pediatric Population Relevance of Vestibular Migraine

Corresponding Author: Carmona Sergio, INEBA Instituto de Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Argentina, E-Mail: [email protected]

Received Date: 10 Apr 2018  
Accepted Date: 29 Apr 2018  
Published Date: 04 May 2018

Copyright © 2018 Carmona S

Citation: Carmona S, Sommerfleck PA, Gonzilez Macchi ME, De Bagge. et al. (2018). Vestibular Pathology in Pediatric Population Relevance of Vestibular Migraine. Mathews J Pediatr.  3(1): 011.

Background:Two of the most frequent symptoms in neurological consultation are headache and dizziness. Both have in common a multiplicity of etiologic causes as well as the need for an adequate symptomatic examination in order to make the correct diagnosis. These symptoms, when they appear at a pediatric age, are usually very troubling for the parents and, sometimes, disabling for the patient.

Objetives: To establish the prevalence of vestibular migraine (VM) in our series of pediatric patients.

Study Design: A retrospective, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was performed.

Population: Patients aged 1-18 years who consulted the Otolaryngology Department of a Pediatric Tertiary-Care Hospital because of balance disorders between June 2014 and June 2017.

Results:Two hundred and forty seven patients 1-18 y.o. were included in the study; 123/247 (49%) girls y 124/247 (51%) boys. The median age was 9 years.

Within this group of studied patients 76/247 (30%) referred vestibular symptoms and headaches. Fifteen of them (20% - 15/76) met the diagnostic criteria for definite VM and 6/76 (8%) met the criteria for probable VM, i.e. 21/76 (28%) patients are included under this condition. This represents 8.5% (21/247) of the total sample included in this work. Fifty five patients 55/76 (76%) do not meet the VM criteria.

A family history of migraine is relevant data to be considered in this group of patients. 100% (15/15) of the patients with definite vestibular migraine had a family history of migraine.

Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo of Childhood (BPVC) is a migraine equivalent: 21/247 (8.5%) patients present this pathology in our series.

Thus, 21 patients with a VM diagnosis and 21 patients with BPVC. (Total: 42/247-17%- patients)

Conclusions: It can be established that, out of all children who consult due to "headache" associated to balance disorders, only a percentage below 10% meet the criteria for VM. The simple association of both symptoms does not define this pathology.

Balance Disorders; Vertigo; Dizziness; Vestibular Migraine; Childhood.