Vestibular Evaluation of Children Diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the vestibular function of children diagnosed with specific learning disorders (SLD).

METHODS: This study was conducted with 30 children diagnosed with SLD and 30 healthy children matched for age and sex, and vestibular tests were applied.

RESULTS: Optokinetic and head shake test values in videonystagmography subtests were found to be pathological in the study group, and the lateral asymmetry value in video head impulse test (v-HIT) was found to be significantly higher in the study group. Also, a significant difference was found in the N1 latency, P1-N1 interlatency, P1-N1 amplitude values in the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential test, and asymmetry values in the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential test.

CONCLUSION: The current study showed that vestibular functions may differ from normal in SLD patients and that vestibular dysfunction may play a role in symptoms such as postural instability, balance, and gross and fine motor disorders that are frequently observed in these children.