For condition 1 and 2 Gn performed significantly better than Gaa and Gas, with no difference between the latter. In conditions 4, 5 and 6 the performance of Gn was statistically superior to that of Gaa, which in turn, was better than that of Gas. The somatosensory responses showed no significant differences between the three groups. The performance of visual and vestibular systems showed progressive dysfunction: Gn did better than than Gaa, and Gaa did better than Gas.

No distinctive clinical characteristic was found between seropositive and seronegative subjects. The hearing outcome of treated Borrelia-seropositive patients was similar to that of the seronegative group.

ResumoObjetivo: o objetivo desta investigação foi avaliar a posturografia como método de acompanhamento de crianças com vestibulopatia periférica, tratadas com reabilitação vestibular, estabelecendo sua correlação com a evolução clínica dos pacientes.Métodos: dez crianças (seis meninos e quatro meninas) portadoras de afecções vestibulares periféricas, submetidas à reabilitação vestibular como forma de tratamento, tiveram sua evolução clínica avaliada através de uma anamnese detalhada de seus sintomas e da realização da posturografia dinâmica computadorizada. Os dados posturográficos foram analisados e comparados à evolução clínica dos pacientes estudados.Resultados: observou-se, após o tratamento, melhora significativa das condições 1 (paciente em posição ortostática, plataforma fixa e olhos abertos) e 5 (paciente em posição ortostática, plataforma em movimento e olhos fechados) da posturografia dinâmica, da função vestibular e do índice do equilíbrio, que correlacionaram-se significativamente com a melhora clínica e diminuição dos sintomas dos pacientes. Observou-se, também, redução significativa da influência da função somatosensorial sobre o equilíbrio final da criança.Conclusão: os dados obtidos mostram que a posturografia não substitui a avaliação clínica convencional, mas agrega dados quantitativos importantes para o acompanhamento da terapia destes pacientes.J Pediatr (Rio J) 2003;79(4):337-42: criança, tontura, doenças vestibulares, testes de função vestibular, reabilitação. AbstractObjective: this study aimed at evaluating dynamic posturography as an evaluation method in children with balance problems due to peripheral vestibulopathy, before and after treatment with vestibular rehabilitation, establishing its correlation with classical clinical evaluation.Method: ten children (six boys and four girls) with vestibular symptoms of peripheral origin were evaluated through a complete clinical history and with dynamic computerized posturography after being treated by vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Posturographic data were analyzed and compared to standard clinical evaluation parameters. Results

The objective of this study was to assess child chloroquine ototoxicity after its use during the gestational period in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Nineteen children over four years old were evaluated: nine were exposed to chloroquine diphosphate (CDP) during gestation and 10 were born from mothers that did not take this drug before conception or anytime during pregnancy (CONTROL). Pure tone audiometry was performed in all children and high and low frequency threshold means were compared to evaluate the hearing status. All nine mothers taking CDP were exposed to this drug at least during the first trimester of pregnancy (56% during the whole gestational period) and the mean time of CDP use was 6.1 +/- 2.9 months. No significant difference was found in children of CDP and CONTROL groups regarding age (7.6 +/- 4.4 versus 12.3 +/- 7.2 years; P = 0.10, respectively) and gender (P = 0.65). Pure tone high frequency thresholds, which are the first to be affected by ototoxic drugs, presented within normal limits in children exposed or not to CDP (8.5 +/- 5.0 versus 7.4 +/- 3.6 dBHL; P = 0.55, respectively). Likewise, the mean hearing thresholds at low frequencies were also similar in both groups (11.4 +/- 4.5 versus 11.9 +/- 3.0 dBHL; P = 0.66). In conclusion, child in utero exposure to chloroquine diphosphate does not seem to induce hearing impairment as measured by pure tone audiometry, reinforcing its safe use during pregnancy of lupus patients.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy seems to be a safe and efficacious therapeutic option in children with peripheral vestibular disturbances.