Rodríguez-Villalba R, Caballero-Borrego M. Normative values for the video Head Impulse Test in children without otoneurologic symptoms and their evolution across childhood by gender.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023;
280:4037-4043. [PMID:
36892616 PMCID:
PMC10382384 DOI:
10.1007/s00405-023-07900-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The video Head Impulse Test is routinely used to assess semicircular canal function in adults, but to date, pediatric reference values are scarce. This study aimed to explore the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in healthy children at different development stages and to compare the obtained gain values with reference to those in an adult population.
METHODS
This prospective, single-center study recruited 187 children from among patients without otoneurological diseases, healthy relatives of these patients, and staff families from a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into three groups by age: 3-6 years, 7-10 years, and 11-16 years. The vestibulo-ocular reflex was assessed by video Head Impulse Test, using a device with a high-speed infrared camera and accelerometer (EyeSeeCam®; Interacoustics, Denmark).
RESULTS
We found a lower vestibulo-ocular reflex gain of both horizontal canals in the 3-6-year-old group when compared with the other age groups. No increasing trend was found in the horizontal canals from age 7-10 years to age 11-16 years, and no differences were found by sex.
CONCLUSION
Gain values in the horizontal canals increased with age until children reached age 7-10 years and matched the normal values for adults.
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