Description:
A disorder characterized by recurrent brief attacks of vertigo, occurring without warning and resolving spontaneously, in otherwise healthy children.
Diagnostic criteria:
A. At least five attacks fulfilling criteria B and C
B. Vertigo1 occurring without warning, maximal at onset and resolving spontaneously after minutes to hours without loss of consciousness
C. At least one of the following associated symptoms or signs:
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1. nystagmus
2. ataxia
3. vomiting
4. pallor
5. fearfulness
D. Normal neurological examination and audiometric and vestibular functions between attacks
E. Not attributed to another disorder.
Note:
1. Young children with vertigo may not be able to describe vertiginous symptoms. Parental observation of episodic periods of unsteadiness may be interpreted as vertigo in young children.
Comments:
Posterior fossa tumours, seizures and vestibular disorders must be excluded.
The relationship between 1.6.2 Benign paroxysmal vertigo and A1.6.6 Vestibular migraine (see Appendix) needs to be further examined.