When a child says they feel dizzy often, anemia is usually the first thing parents think of, but a normal blood count can leave the real cause just as unclear. Here’s what commonly causes dizziness besides anemia and what testing can help.
Why It Happens
Dizziness in children is actually more often caused by something other than anemia. Common culprits include orthostatic hypotension, a temporary drop in blood pressure when standing up quickly from sitting or lying down, acute illness such as fever, a cold, or a stomach bug, and dehydration from not drinking enough fluids. Hyperventilation tied to stress or anxiety can also bring on dizziness, and less commonly, inner-ear issues affecting balance, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or vestibular neuritis, or migraine-related dizziness can be the cause.
How It Looks at Different Ages and Stages
School-age children and teens going through rapid growth spurts are relatively prone to orthostatic hypotension-related dizziness. Teenage girls can also show a temporary dip in blood counts around the start of menstruation, which is one reason anemia testing is often considered alongside other causes at this age. Younger children more often have dizziness tied to acute infection or dehydration, while dizziness linked to migraines or psychological stress tends to become relatively more common after children reach school age.
Home Care
Standing up gradually rather than jumping up quickly can help prevent dizziness from orthostatic hypotension. Encourage regular fluid intake throughout the day, and if a child feels dizzy, having them sit or lie down right away with their legs slightly elevated can ease the symptom. Keeping notes on when dizziness happens, such as before or after meals, right after waking up, or during exercise, along with any accompanying symptoms, can be useful information for figuring out the cause.
Common Parent Misconceptions
It’s easy to assume dizziness always calls for an anemia test first, but as noted above, anemia is actually an uncommon cause, and a normal result doesn’t mean the workup was unnecessary. On the other hand, some parents write off dizziness as simple tiredness, when dizziness that keeps recurring or comes with other symptoms is worth having checked to identify the cause.
Signs That Need Medical Care
Consider a doctor’s visit if dizziness comes with fever, headache, or ringing in the ears; if it’s accompanied by new or worsening nausea and vomiting; or if it doesn’t improve with rest and keeps coming back. A reasonable workup often includes basic blood tests (checking for anemia, electrolytes, and blood sugar) and, when needed, an EKG or tests of ear and balance function. Go to the emergency room right away if dizziness comes with loss of consciousness, chest pain, a racing heartbeat, limb weakness, or slurred speech. This information isn’t a diagnostic tool and doesn’t replace advice from a medical professional.