Dizziness is a broad term that children use to describe various sensations, including lightheadedness, unsteadiness, feeling faint, or the actual sensation of spinning, which is called vertigo. The majority of causes are temporary, benign, and easily addressed. The feeling generally results from a brief disruption of the signals between the inner ear, eyes, and brain, or from a short-term reduction of blood flow to the brain.
Common and Temporary Causes
The most frequent reasons a child feels dizzy are related to situational changes that temporarily affect the body’s circulation and fluid balance. One common experience is orthostatic hypotension, often described as a “head rush” when standing up quickly. This happens because gravity causes blood to pool momentarily in the legs and abdomen, leading to a temporary drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain.
Dehydration is another common contributor, particularly after physical activity, prolonged standing, or on a hot day. When a child does not consume enough fluids, their overall blood volume decreases, making it harder for the circulatory system to maintain adequate blood pressure to the head.
Mild viral illnesses, such as a cold or the flu, frequently cause a temporary feeling of being “woozy” or unsteady. This lightheadedness is often linked to the weakness and fatigue that accompanies a fever or infection. Motion sickness, which is a mismatch between visual input and the inner ear’s sense of movement, is a specific cause of dizziness that includes nausea.
Vestibular and Neurological Conditions
Dizziness that involves true vertigo—the sensation that the room is spinning—often points toward issues with the vestibular system in the inner ear or the brain. The inner ear houses the balance organs, and infections here can disrupt the signals sent to the brain, causing severe unsteadiness. Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation of the balance nerve, while labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear itself, which also includes hearing loss.
Vestibular migraines are a leading cause of vertigo in children and adolescents, even without a coinciding headache. These episodes of dizziness or spinning can last for minutes to days and may be accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound. Children with a family history of migraines are more likely to experience these balance-related symptoms.
Head trauma, such as a concussion, can also lead to persistent or intermittent dizziness by disrupting the communication pathways that process balance information. This post-concussion dizziness requires medical evaluation to ensure proper recovery. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), though less common in children, involves sudden, brief attacks of spinning often triggered by head position changes, caused by displaced inner ear crystals.
Systemic and Medication Related Factors
Factors affecting the entire body’s metabolism and chemistry can also result in feelings of lightheadedness or imbalance. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is one such systemic cause, typically occurring when a child has skipped a meal or is fasting. Since the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy, a drop in blood sugar can manifest as dizziness, shakiness, and fatigue.
Certain medications, even those commonly used, can have dizziness as a side effect. Antihistamines, some cold remedies, and other prescribed drugs can affect the central nervous system or blood pressure regulation. Parents should note any new medication use when a child reports dizziness, as the symptom may be dose-dependent or an individual reaction.
Psychological factors, such as anxiety, panic, or hyperventilation, can also trigger lightheadedness. Rapid, shallow breathing reduces the carbon dioxide level in the blood, which constricts blood vessels supplying the brain and results in a temporary feeling of being faint. This type of dizziness is often linked to a specific stressful event or emotional distress.
Recognizing Warning Signs and Seeking Care
While most instances of dizziness are not serious, certain accompanying symptoms require prompt medical attention. These warning signs suggest a potentially significant underlying issue involving the neurological or cardiovascular system.
Seek immediate care if the child’s dizziness is accompanied by specific neurological symptoms. These include a sudden, severe headache, double vision, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of the body. The inability to walk or stand without support, especially if it appears suddenly, is also a serious sign.
Persistent vomiting, particularly if it is not associated with a known illness or migraine, warrants evaluation. Any episode of dizziness that leads to a loss of consciousness or fainting, especially if it occurs during active exercise, needs urgent medical consultation. Dizziness that is constant, worsening, or recurrent over a period of time should be discussed with a pediatrician.