Sophie Lipson1, Alicia Wang1, Meghan Corcoran1, Guangwei Zhou2, Jacob R Brodsky3. 1. Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. 2. Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. 3. Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: jacob.brodsky@childrens.harvard.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Susceptibility to severe motion sickness has not been well described in the pediatric population, particularly in very young children. This study aimed to describe and evaluate risk factors and treatment responses in a group of children with severe motion sickness, including infants and toddlers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients less than 18 years of age seen in our pediatric vestibular program for evaluation of motion sickness over a 6-year period. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with motion sickness were identified. Age of onset ranged from 0 to 15 years old, with a mean age of 6.6 ± 4.2 years. Eleven patients (47.8%) were diagnosed with a migraine variant. Vestibular deficits were identified in four out of 17 patients (23.5%) who underwent formal vestibular testing. Other frequent comorbid conditions included recurrent/chronic otitis media (n = 9; 39.1%) and a history of motor delay (n = 7; 30.4%). A high proportion of patients reported symptom improvement when treated with meclizine, ondansetron, cyproheptadine, or vestibular rehabilitation. DISCUSSION: Motion sickness can impact children even in infancy. Common comorbid conditions that may contribute to pediatric motion sickness include migraine disorders, vestibular impairment, otitis media, and motor delay. Treatments such as cyproheptadine and vestibular rehabilitation may be helpful but require further study.
INTRODUCTION: Susceptibility to severe motion sickness has not been well described in the pediatric population, particularly in very young children. This study aimed to describe and evaluate risk factors and treatment responses in a group of children with severe motion sickness, including infants and toddlers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients less than 18 years of age seen in our pediatric vestibular program for evaluation of motion sickness over a 6-year period. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with motion sickness were identified. Age of onset ranged from 0 to 15 years old, with a mean age of 6.6 ± 4.2 years. Eleven patients (47.8%) were diagnosed with a migraine variant. Vestibular deficits were identified in four out of 17 patients (23.5%) who underwent formal vestibular testing. Other frequent comorbid conditions included recurrent/chronic otitis media (n = 9; 39.1%) and a history of motor delay (n = 7; 30.4%). A high proportion of patients reported symptom improvement when treated with meclizine, ondansetron, cyproheptadine, or vestibular rehabilitation. DISCUSSION: Motion sickness can impact children even in infancy. Common comorbid conditions that may contribute to pediatric motion sickness include migraine disorders, vestibular impairment, otitis media, and motor delay. Treatments such as cyproheptadine and vestibular rehabilitation may be helpful but require further study.