Question
My 5-year-old son suddenly felt dizzy last night, like the room was spinning around. What could be the cause?
Answer
This phenomenon is relatively common in young children and is medically referred to as “orthostatic dysregulation.” It is more prevalent in primary and middle school students aged 7 to 12, with an incidence rate of about 10% to 15% among school-age children. In addition to morning dizziness, affected children may show reluctance to get up, slow movements upon rising, and may experience pale complexion, nausea, and vomiting. Children with this condition may feel dizzy, see stars, have chest tightness, and palpitations when standing for a long time during physical education classes or when rising from a squatting position. Some may feel short of breath and reluctant to move after slight activity; others may be prone to motion sickness and particularly dislike rides like carousels, Ferris wheels, swings, and merry-go-rounds at playgrounds. In rare severe cases, some children may faint and fall to the ground upon standing up, reporting that they see nothing but darkness and lose consciousness afterward.