Pediatric Dizziness

• Feeling dizzy or light-headed
  
• Feeling unsteady with slight loss of balance
  
• Feeling "woozy" or not thinking clearly
  
• May also have brief blurring of vision

• Mild: walks normal
  
• Moderate: interferes with normal activities such as playing, school or sports
  
• Severe: can't stand, needs support to walk, feels like passing out now

Select the First Symptom that Applies

Call 911 now if:

• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Go to the emergency room if:

• Your child is experiencing severe dizziness (unable to walk, requires support to walk)
• Dizziness follows bleeding (Exception: small amount and dizzy from sight of blood)
• Your child passed out (fainted) and it was not caused by prolonged standing
• Your child acts or talks confused
• Poisoning is suspected (usually 8 months to 4 years old)
• Drug abuse is suspected (especially if there are psychological problems and your child is over 8 years of age)
• Your child has a severe headache
• Your child complains of heart pounding differently
• Your child is too weak to stand and it was not caused by prolonged standing

Call your child's doctor now or go to the emergency room if:

• Dehydration is suspected. (No urine in over eight hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears)
  
• Dizziness was caused by heat exposure, prolonged standing or poor fluid intake. It's not gone after two hours of rest and fluids
  
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen and the problem is urgent

Call your child's doctor within 24 hours if:

• Your child passed out (fainted) and caused by sudden or prolonged standing
  
• Your child is experiencing moderate dizziness (interferes with normal activities) present now. (Exception: Dizziness caused by heat exposure, prolonged standing or poor fluid intake)
  
• Your child's fever is present for more than three days (72 hours)
  
• Your child is experiencing ear pain or congestion
  
• You think your child needs to be seen but the problem is not urgent

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• Your child is experiencing mild dizziness (walking normally) present more than three days
  
• Dizziness is a frequent problem
  
• You have other questions or concerns

Provide self care at home if: 

• Sudden or prolonged standing caused the dizziness
  
• Poor fluid intake caused the dizziness
  
• Your child is experiencing mild dizziness from unknown cause present less than three days

What You Should Know

• Standing up quickly is the most common cause of dizziness. This type of dizziness only lasts a short time. Getting out of bed is when it usually happens.
• Prolonged standing in one place is another common cause.
• Not drinking enough fluids or eating enough salt always makes it worse.

Here is some care advice that should help:

Standing - Pump Legs

• In the mornings, sit up for a few minutes before you stand up.
• This will help your blood flow stay steady and adjust before you stand up.
• With prolonged standing, contract and relax your leg muscles. Reason: This helps pump the blood back to the heart.
• Sit down or lie down if you feel dizzy.

Salt - Increase Intake

• Most people with this type of dizziness (due to standing) don't get enough salt.
• Try to eat some salty foods (potato chips or pretzels) every day.

Fluids - Drink More

• Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
• This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
• If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.

Lie Down

• Lie down with feet up for one hour.
• Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.

Prevention

• Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
• Regular mealtimes and snacks
• Enough sleep and rest

What to Expect

• With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in one to two hours.

Call Your Doctor If

• After two hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
• Your child passes out (faints)
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

What You Should Know:

• Not drinking enough fluids and being a little dehydrated probably caused the dizziness.
• It should go away with drinking fluids and resting in a cool place.
• This is always made worse during hot weather. Too much sun exposure can also increase the body's need for fluid.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Fluids - Drink More

• Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
• This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
• If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.

Cool Off

• If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
• Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.

Lie Down

• Lie down with feet up for one hour.
• Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.

Prevention

• Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
• Regular mealtimes and snacks
• Enough sleep and rest

What to Expect

• With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in one to two hours.

Call Your Doctor If

• After two hours of rest and fluids, still feels dizzy
• Your child passes out (faints)
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

What You Should Know

• Dizziness that goes away is a harmless symptom.
• It's usually due to not drinking enough water during sports or hot weather.
• It can also be caused by skipping a meal or too much sun.
• Sometimes, it's part of a viral illness.

Here is some care advice that should help:

Lie Down

• Lie down with feet up for one hour.
• Reason: This will increase blood flow to the brain.

Fluids - Drink More

• Drink several glasses of fruit juice, other clear fluids or water.
• This will improve your child's fluid status and blood sugar.
• If the weather is hot, make sure the fluids are cold.

Cool Off

• If the weather is hot, use a cold pack or washcloth to the forehead.
• Taking a cool shower or bath will help even more.

Prevention

• Extra water and salty foods during sports or hot weather
• Regular mealtimes and snacks
• Enough sleep and rest

What to Expect

• With treatment, the dizziness usually goes away in one to two hours.
• Mild dizziness with a viral illness may last one or two days.

Call Your Doctor If

• After two hours of rest and fluids, still feeling dizzy
• Mild dizziness lasts over three days
• Your child passes out (faints)
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.