Ruru Tian

and 5 more

Objective By investigating into the characteristics of vestibular dysfunction in children, this study attempts to provide some guidance and reference for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 80 children, aged between 4 and 17, with peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Results The group aged from 6 to 12 years significantly outnumbered the other two age groups(P<0.001). We also found the positive rate of Mann test was the highest, while the positive rate of cVEMP (cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential) was the lowest (P=0.007<0.05). The positive rate of caloric testing and Romberg/Mann test was significantly superior to others (P=0.024 <0.05). Among the etiologic factors of vestibular dysfunction in children, Benign paroxysmal vertigo of Childhood was the most common, accounted for 72.50%, following by Vestibular migraine (5.00%) and Vestibular neuritis (10.00%). It should also be noted that 27.50% were associated with other diseases such as sinusitis (18.75%). Conclusion This paper found that there was no obvious difference in age, gender and onset ear side of those children with vestibular dysfunction. However, children in primary school were more likely to suffer from vestibular dysfunction. In most cases, the cause of vestibular dysfunction in children is unclear. Thus special attention should by drawn on differential diagnosis. At the same time, detailed medical history of the children should be acknowledged and appropriate vestibular function examination should be selected, in order to give timely, effective and accurate treatment plan for the children.