Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: To address the current lack of standardized protocols for vestibular infant screening (VIS), this clinical consensus aims to establish a clinical consensus on VIS in infants aged 0-12 months. Given a frequent co-occurrence of vestibular dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and the significant impact of vestibular dysfunction on early development, early identification and management are critical. METHODS: This clinical consensus was developed by a panel of 28 international experts in pediatric otolaryngology and vestibular disorders through a structured, multi-round Delphi process. Panelists were selected based on clinical and academic expertise, representing 26 institutions across Asia and Europe. A comprehensive literature review (2000-2024) informed the initial draft of consensus statements. The consensus was reached through three iterative rounds of anonymous rating and feedback, followed by virtual discussions. Statements achieving ≥ 80% agreement were retained in the final consensus, which focused on screening tools, target populations, optimal timing, and standardized cVEMP recording protocols for infants. RESULTS: The expert panel reached consensus on key recommendations in four domains: screening tool, target screening population, timing of vestibular function screening, and recording protocol for cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP). CONCLUSION: This clinical consensus provides foundational guidance for the implementation of VIS in infants, advocating for standardized protocols to improve early diagnosis and intervention. Widespread adoption of these recommendations may enhance developmental outcomes by enabling timely detection and management of vestibular dysfunction in early childhood.
Authors: Jun Yang, Jiali Shen, Yulian Jin, Jianyong Chen, Qing Zhang, Ling Lu, Xiaowan Chen, Hong Yu, Wen Xie, Qingqing Dai, Lian Fang, Yideng Huang, Busheng Tong, Xia Gao, Xiaoyun Qian, Lisheng Yu, Daogong Zhang, Yong Fu, Jie Zhang, Wenyan Li, Pedro Marques, Josine Widdershoven, Raymond van de Berg, Yi-Ho Young, Ilmari Pyykkö, Kimitaka Kaga, Soumit Dasgupta, Maoli Duan
Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, XinHua Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Southeast University, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Jilin University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Sichuan University, West China Medical Center of Sichuan University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Wenzhou Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Anhui Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, Peking University, Peking University People's Hospital, Shandong University, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Capital Medical University, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Fudan University, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Frontiers Center for Brain Science of the Ministry of Education, Universidade do Porto, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Antwerp University Hospital, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Tampere University, University of Tampere, Tokyo Medical Center, The University of Tokyo, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
Awards: G3281871504, G5580637730, G782590243
OpenAlex ID: W4416561045