Vertigo during pregnancy: a review

Abstract

Vertigo is defined as a false sensation of movements where a patient gets a rotating perception of the environment or oneself. Vertigo and dizziness are commonly experienced during the pregnancy period and are among the most common complaint by pregnant women to the primary care physicians. Vertigo during pregnancy affects the quality of life of women and also has an impact on the fetus. Pregnancy is an important nine-month physiological period of female life. During pregnancy, the body of the female undergoes several physiological changes that affect all systems and organs, including sensory ones. There are significant changes during pregnancy including otological and neurotological manifestations. Vertigo/dizziness is a common complaint during pregnancy to the clinicians. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease (MD), vestibular neuritis and vestibular migraine are common vestibular disorders result in vertigo during pregnancy. Vertigo during pregnancy directly affects the pregnant mother both mentally and physically. A multidisciplinary approach by otolaryngologists, neurologists, and gynaecologist and obstetricians is required for proper evaluation and management of vertigo in pregnant women. Currently, there are no guidelines for the management of vertigo in pregnancy. Little has been reported about vertigo during pregnancy. We performed a narrative review of vertigo in pregnant women.