Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPV) is a paroxysmal, non-epileptic , recurrent event characterized by subjective or objective vertigo that occ urs in neurologically intact children. We recorded the history and the clin ical aspects of 19 cases presenting with neurological problems to the outpa tient clinic at the Pediatrics Department of Padova University between 1987 and 1998 and re-examined in 1999. Details were collected on the characteri stics of their vertigo: age at onset, mode of onset, trigger factors, durat ion, frequency and recurrence of episodes, duration of symptoms in time and age at disappearance. An attempt was also made to establish any family his tory of migraine and kinetosis and the most important data were compared, w hen possible, with those reported in the literature. Differential diagnosis and pathogenetic hypothesis were also reported. It is worth emphasizing th at it is important for pediatricians to be aware of these benign events to ensure a correct diagnostic approach, avoiding the child and family any poi ntless anxiety or costly and sometimes invasive diagnostic procedures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.