The maturation of balance in children.

BACKGROUND: Balance function is known to change with age during infancy and childhood. However, the relative contributions of the three primary inputs to position sense are not fully understood.

METHODS: In this paper we report the computerised dynamic posturography findings in a group of 60 healthy children from the age of five to 17.

RESULTS: The results confirm that there is a progressive improvement in balance function with age. The EquiTest system that was used gave indications of the relative contributions of the three principal contributors to overall balance function and showed that somatosensory function was intact throughout the age range tested and that there are significant increases in vestibular function with age and visual contribution with height. The technique used was found to be reliable and repeatable in this paediatric sample.

CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that a better understanding of the normal age related development of balance will be helpful in dealing with children presenting with disequilibrium and vertigo.