⚖️ Vertigo & Dizziness · Pediatric Symptom Checker

Schwartz Clinical Handbook of Pediatrics — Chapter 81 (Vertigo/Dizziness) · Central vs. Peripheral · BPV · Migraine · Labyrinthitis

Select clinical features to differentiate peripheral vertigo (vestibular neuronitis, BPPV, labyrinthitis) from central vertigo (migraine, posterior fossa tumor, seizure) and other dizziness types (presyncope, disequilibrium).
⚠️ Red flags: acute severe vertigo + focal neurology, new headache, or imbalance → urgent neuroimaging.

📋 Step 1 — Characterize dizziness & associated features
📌 Diagnostic impressions
⚡ Dizziness type

Select symptoms above to generate differentials based on classic peripheral vs central patterns, Hallpike maneuvers, and pediatric vertigo syndromes (benign paroxysmal vertigo, vestibular migraine, etc.).

✔️ BPPV / labyrinthitis / vestibular neuronitis
✔️ Migrainous vertigo / BPV of childhood
✔️ Cerebellar or brainstem warning signs
📘 Key reminders (Chapter 81)
• Peripheral vertigo → nausea, nystagmus horizontal/rotatory, tinnitus or hearing loss possible, often improves with visual fixation.
• Central vertigo → vertical nystagmus, dysarthria, diplopia, ataxia, worse with eyes closed.
• Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) of childhood: brief spells, normal interictal, often precedes migraine.
• Hallpike maneuver: diagnostic for BPPV if nystagmus with latency & fatigability.