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Familial occurrence of headache
M Aromaa1, P Rautava, M Sillanpää
1Department of Child Neurology, University of Turku, Finland.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|February 11, 2000
Summary
Maternal headache before pregnancy is a significant predictor of childhood headache. This familial link suggests a potential genetic or environmental influence on headache development in children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Headache is a common condition with potential familial aggregation.
- Understanding the intergenerational transmission of headache is crucial for early identification and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between parental headache history and headache occurrence in offspring.
- To identify predictors of headache in children aged seven years.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study followed 968 families for seven years.
- Data collected via pre-structured questionnaires on parental headache history and child's headache status.
- Clinical interviews were conducted for children experiencing headaches.
Main Results:
- Maternal pre-pregnancy headache was a significant predictor of preschool headache in children (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4).
- Children with headache reported a higher prevalence of first- and second-degree relatives with headache compared to controls.
- Frequent headache was reported by 47% of parents before pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Maternal headache history is a notable risk factor for childhood headache.
- The findings suggest a potential familial component, possibly genetic or environmental, contributing to headache development.
- Early identification of maternal headache may aid in predicting and managing headache risk in children.