Abstract
The aim of the research – assessment of vestibular function in children with acute purulent otitis media by computer static stabilometry compared with typically developed children of the same age.
 Materials and methods: 22 children with purulent otitis media aged 4 to 7 years and 30 practically healthy peers were examined by static stabilometry on the device “MPFI stabilograph 1” (Kharkiv, Ukraine). Indicators of variation and shape of the pressure center distribution, spectral-correlation indicators of stabilograms, as well as integral indicators of stability (length, velocity and angle of postural oscillations) were taken into account and the equilibrium functions of the two sensory states (open and closed eyes) are calculated in the StabiliS software.
 Results: purulent otitis media causes posterior displacement of the absolute coordinates of the pressure center. In the state with closed eyes, children with purulent otitis differ from their healthy coevals by 14 of 24 stabilometric parameters, including stabilogram length, speed, angle and amplitude of oscillations, giving way to them in the stability of equilibrium. Children with purulent otitis media are more sensitive to the visual canal of postural control than their coevals. Involvement of visual afferents in postural control significantly improves balance maintenance in children with purulent otitis by reducing deviations of postural oscillations, which is reflected in the probable changes of 9 out of 24 stabilometric parameters compared to control.
 Conclusions: In preschool age, purulent otitis media leads to latent vestibular dysfunction, which is manifested by a violation of the stability of the vertical posture in a state with closed eyes and is compensated by visual-vestibulo-proprioceptive integration in the process of postural control.
Highlights
Peripheral vestibular disorders are difficult to differentiate due to non-specific symptoms, unclear formulation of patient complaints, multifactorial nature of dizziness and posture instability (2021), «EUREKA: Health Sciences» Number 6 and lack of reliable screening methods [1]
Given the underdevelopment of the problem, the peculiarities of preschool age and the feasibility of using relatively simple objective methods to assess vestibular function in screening studies, we focused on a comparative assessment of vestibular function in children 4–7 years with purulent otitis media by computer static stabilometry
In contrast to other known studies, we found statistically higher weighted average values of the frequency of the spectrum of oscillations in the frontal and sagittal planes in purulent otitis media compared with control, which may be an additional sign of latent vestibular dysfunction and stress late control mechanisms
Summary
Peripheral vestibular disorders are difficult to differentiate due to non-specific symptoms, unclear formulation of patient complaints, multifactorial nature of dizziness and posture instability (2021), «EUREKA: Health Sciences» Number 6 and lack of reliable screening methods [1]. All tests of the peripheral nervous system currently used in clinical practice are based on the measurement of oligosynaptic reflexes of the brain stem [2]. Stabilometry, based on the assessment of human balance, which allows to detect vestibulo-spinal disorders, is no exception [3]. Equilibrium is the ability to maintain the center of pressure of the body with minimal shaking [4], and its control is provided by a combination of central and peripheral nerve components, including spinal reflexes, supraspinal commands and integration of afferent and/or efferent signals of visual, vestibular and somato-sensor. Postural control is closely related to the harmonious development of sensory-motor integration and motor, cognitive and social development of the child [6]
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