Clinical and audiovestibular findings in pediatric vestibular migraine spectrum disorders

Vestibular migraine of childhood (VMC) and related episodic vertigo disorders are leading causes of recurrent pediatric dizziness, yet audiovestibular profiles remain incompletely defined. This study evaluates demographic and audiovestibular findings in children with VMC, probable VMC (pVMC), or recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC).

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists evaluating children with unexplained recurrent dizziness should be aware of vestibular migraine spectrum disorders as a leading diagnosis; awareness of the associated audiovestibular test profile may aid differential diagnosis, but specific protocol changes should await replication in larger controlled studies.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Vestibular migraine is one of the most common causes of recurrent dizziness in children yet remains underdiagnosed, and a clearer audiovestibular profile could improve early identification and referral pathways in audiology and ENT settings.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Study characterizes hearing and balance test findings in children with vestibular migraine spectrum disorders.
02Vestibular migraine is cited as a leading cause of recurrent dizziness in the pediatric population.
03Audiovestibular profiling may help differentiate vestibular migraine from other causes of pediatric dizziness.
04Published in International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (PMID 42790408).
05Findings are descriptive/characterization in nature; controlled comparisons are limited.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Vestibular migraine spectrum disorders are a leading cause of pediatric recurrent dizziness.

studypartially supported

Children with vestibular migraine spectrum disorders have characteristic clinical and audiovestibular findings.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42790408
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2026.113017.
Journal: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 4
Population: Children diagnosed with vestibular migraine spectrum disorders presenting with recurrent dizziness
Intervention: Clinical and audiovestibular assessment of pediatric vestibular migraine spectrum disorders

Primary outcomes

Clinical characteristics of pediatric vestibular migraine spectrum disorders; Audiovestibular test findings (hearing and balance measures)

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