Dizziness In Children Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

图片:在上面

Dizziness in children can be due to diminished blood circulation to the brain for brief periods. They may explain feelings of faintness or lightheadedness when they are dizzy.In most cases, dizziness may not be accompanied by any obvious signs and symptoms of any illnesses.However, persistent dizziness can risk a child’s safety and well-being. Therefore, you may seek pediatric care to identify and treat the underlying causes of dizziness.

Read this post to know the causes, symptoms, risk factors, complications, and treatment for dizziness in children.

Symptoms Of Dizziness In Children

The common symptoms of dizziness in children include

• Lightheadedness
• Balance problems, including loss of balance and a feeling of unsteadiness
• Inability to think clearly
• Blurred vision for a brief moment
• The feeling that the world around them is revolving

Based on the severity, your child may experience mild, moderate, and severe dizziness.

In mild dizziness, the child may feel slight lightheadedness but can walk normally and perform their activities.Inmoderate dizziness, the child may feel weak, and the dizziness could affect their ability to stand and take part in activities such as walking and running. Insevere dizziness, the child may not be able to stand, and the lightheadedness may worsen, making the child feel as though they are on the verge of fainting(1)。

Causes Of Dizziness In Children

Often, dizziness could be due to weakness, but sometimes, it can signal an underlying medical condition. Here are a few causes of dizziness in children.

1. Prolonged standing

Dizziness due to prolonged standing commonly affects children who have a slender build and reduced blood volume.When the child stands in the same position for longer periods, the blood tends to pool in the legs, slowing down blood supply to the brain.Often, the symptoms of dizziness may subside in 30-60 seconds, and the child may seem well and free of any symptoms if they remain upright or are held upright(2)。

2. Orthostatic hypertension (OHT)

Orthostatic hypertension is a condition characterized by an increase in blood pressure when in the upright position. Studies suggest that OHT can increase the risk of hypertension in young adults. The common symptoms of OHT include dizziness, headache, chest tightness, chest pain,palpitationsⁱXAbnormal heart rhythms often caused by stress, anxiety, or medical conditions., and syncope (fainting or passing out). Sudden postural changes, prolonged standing,emotional stress, and a stuffy environment can trigger OHT（3）。

3. Dehydration

Children may also feel dizzy whenthey are dehydrated。When there is excess water loss from the body, it can cause lightheadedness and syncope. Other signs of dehydration include dry lips, dry tongue, fatigue, muscle weakness, headache, and lethargy(4)。

4. Ear infections

Conditions such aslabyrinthitisⁱXAn inner ear infection that may cause symptoms such as loss of hearing, dizziness, and vertigo.(problem inside the inner ear) and vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear) can cause sudden dizziness in children. Ear disorders, such as Ménière’s disease, can lead to intense dizziness and a persistent ringing in the ears.Ear infections往往是自我限制,但医生可能总统吗cribe antibiotics if there is any bacterial infection(5)。

5. Anemia

It is a condition in which the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells, resulting in reduced oxygen flow to the organs. Some commonsigns of anemiaare dizziness, tiredness, fatigue, general body weakness, loss of appetite, pale skin, and low immunity(6)。If your child often feels dizzy, it is important to get their hemoglobin levels checked.

6. Vestibular migraine

This could be caused by a hereditary condition, lack of sleep, dehydration, or allergy to certain foods. Although the exact cause is unknown, experts believe that it might be due to the constriction of blood vessels around the brain.Besides dizziness, vestibular migraine is characterized by motion sickness,nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and loss of balance(7)。

7. Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC)

The cause for this condition is not known; however, it is thought to be a precursor to migraine at an older age. It is characterized by symptoms such as nystagmus (fluttering or abnormal eye movements), loss of balance,vomiting, pale appearance, sweating, and head tilt. It typically affects children aged 3-4 years, and most children outgrow these symptoms as they get older(8)。

8. Other causes

Dizziness in children can also be caused by aconcussionⁱXA severe injury that disrupts normal brain functioning, leading to symptoms including headache, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.,multiple sclerosisⁱXA chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, leading to dizziness, fatigue, and loss of balance.,type 1 diabetesⁱXAn autoimmune condition, in which the body fails to produce sufficient insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.,juvenile arthritisⁱXA chronic inflammatory condition affecting children, characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints., and usage of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(9)。

Risks And Complications Of Dizziness

Children who are malnourished or those who have a family history ofautoimmune diseasesⁱXA group of medical conditions where the body’s immune system erroneously attacks healthy cells.are at a higher risk of developing dizziness.

As dizziness is a symptom of an underlying problem, the complications depend on the severity of the underlying issue. Also, frequent episodes of dizziness may lead to fainting, which can cause injury and affect children’s well-being

。

Diagnosis Of Frequent Dizziness

If your child often complains of dizziness, or if you spot the signs, it is best to seek medical advice. Your doctor would do a physical examination and take your family’s medical history to determine the underlying cause. They may also recommend tests such asaudiometryⁱXA test used to determine a person’s hearing ability.,vestibular function testsⁱXA set of tests performed to determine a person’s hearing function and inner ear functioning.,electronystagmographyⁱXA test that determines eye movements, used to assess the cause of certain conditions such as dizziness and vertigo., blood tests, CT scans, and X-rays.

Treatment For Dizziness In Children

The treatment for dizziness depends on the underlying cause. However, the first line of treatment for dizziness involves asking the child to sit with their legs at an elevated position. This helps the blood to circulate to the brain.

Dizziness is often a self-limiting condition. However, if the dizziness persists, then it is best to seek medical advice. Here are a few ways to manage dizziness in children(9)。

• Prescribing medications such as antibiotics, decongestant, orantihistaminesⁱXA class of medications used to treat allergies by blocking the action of histamines (allergens).in the case of ear infections.

• Administering antidepressants to alleviate migraine-related vertigo or dizziness

• Instructing your child to get up from the bed slowly and avoid sudden changes in position

• Giving them plenty of water and juices to replenish the lost body fluids

• Giving yourchild an iron-richdiet if they are diagnosed with anemia

• Ensuring they shift their body weight from one leg to another or distribute the weight equally on both legs when they have to stand for long hours.

References: