By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 05, 2026
understanding dizziness and vertigo in children
A child saying "the room is spinning" rattles most parents. Kids get dizzy more often than families expect, and sometimes it happens repeatedly. Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion, a pediatric neurologist for families across the Phoenix metro area, sees children with dizziness and balance problems regularly. Most causes are manageable, and finding the right diagnosis early changes how your child feels day to day.
dizziness vs. vertigo: what's the difference?
People use these words to mean the same thing, but they describe different sensations. Dizziness covers lightheadedness, a floating feeling, or unsteadiness. Vertigo is the illusion of movement, the feeling that your child or the room is spinning while everything sits still.
Young children often can't put words to it. They might refuse to walk, grab furniture for balance, seem clumsy, or say their stomach hurts. Older kids and teenagers can usually describe the spinning or "off" feeling. Telling the two apart shapes the evaluation, which is why a careful history matters at any visit to a pediatric neurology specialist.
common causes of dizziness and vertigo in children
benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood
This causes episodic vertigo in young children, usually between ages two and five. Episodes last seconds to a few minutes. The child looks frightened, then returns to normal quickly. It's a migraine variant. Kids with this condition often develop more typical pediatric headaches or migraines as they grow, and a family history of migraines shows up often.
vestibular migraine
Doctors are recognizing vestibular migraine more in school-age children and teenagers. Episodes can bring vertigo, motion sensitivity, and balance trouble, sometimes with no headache at all. Without the headache, it gets missed. Dr. Zach checks for vestibular migraine in children with recurring dizziness, especially when migraines run in the family or the child's own history.
concussion and post-concussion syndrome
Dizziness is one of the main symptoms after a head injury. Arizona kids play hard, from youth soccer leagues in Scottsdale to high school football across the Valley, so sports concussions come up often. Dizziness or balance problems that stick around after a head injury need prompt evaluation. Read about our approach to pediatric concussion care.
dehydration and heat-related illness
Phoenix kids face extreme heat most of the year. Dehydration causes lightheadedness and dizziness more than people realize. During summer, when temperatures pass 110°F, children playing outside or in sports can dehydrate fast. If your child's dizziness shows up mostly in the heat or after outdoor activity, check dehydration before chasing more complex neurological causes.
inner ear conditions
Infections or inflammation of the inner ear, including labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, can cause sudden, intense vertigo in children. A viral illness usually triggers them. They scare families with their severity but often clear up on their own. Rarely, a structural problem in the inner ear is the cause and calls for imaging.
orthostatic hypotension
Some kids and teenagers, especially during growth spurts, have a brief drop in blood pressure when they stand up fast. They feel a quick wave of lightheadedness that passes in seconds. It's usually harmless, but repeated episodes deserve a look to rule out other causes.
neurological causes
Less often, dizziness in children connects to conditions in the brain's cerebellum or brainstem. Sometimes dizziness happens during a seizure, depending on the type. If a seizure disorder is a concern, Dr. Zach may recommend a pediatric EEG to check the brain's electrical activity. Dizziness alone rarely points to pediatric seizures, but a full evaluation rules it out.
when should you be concerned?
Most dizziness in children is harmless. Some signs need attention right away. Call a healthcare provider if your child has:
- Sudden, severe vertigo with no warning
- Dizziness with a severe headache, fever, or stiff neck
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Real trouble walking or loss of coordination
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Double vision or slurred speech along with dizziness
- Episodes getting more frequent or more severe over time
These can signal a more serious problem that needs immediate evaluation.
what to expect at a pediatric neurology visit
When you bring your child to Rose Medical Pavilion for a dizziness evaluation, Dr. Tamara Zach MD takes a detailed history of the episodes, reviews your child's health and development, and does a full neurological exam. Depending on what she finds, she may recommend an EEG, MRI, or a referral to an audiologist. The aim is an accurate diagnosis and a plan that fits your child.
If you're working through Arizona's healthcare system, our evaluations are open to children covered under AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program), and we help families coordinate care.
schedule an evaluation at Rose Medical Pavilion
You don't have to guess what's behind your child's dizziness or balance problems. If your child in the Phoenix area has recurring dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness, we can help. Learn more about Dr. Tamara Zach MD and the pediatric neurology care at Rose Medical Pavilion, then reach out to schedule an appointment.
schedule an appointment
Questions about your child's neurological health? Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion is here to help. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or schedule online.