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Headache in the pediatric emergency department
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23510, USA.
Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|May 3, 2001
Summary
Headache is a common emergency department complaint in children. This review outlines how to evaluate nontraumatic pediatric headaches, distinguishing benign cases from serious conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Neurology
- Clinical Evaluation
Background:
- Headache is a frequent reason for pediatric emergency department visits.
- While most pediatric headaches are benign, some may indicate serious underlying pathology.
- A structured approach is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the etiology of nontraumatic headaches in pediatric patients.
- To outline an evidence-based evaluation strategy for pediatric headache in the emergency setting.
- To guide appropriate diagnostic investigations for nontraumatic pediatric headaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of nontraumatic pediatric headache causes.
- Synthesis of current guidelines for emergency department evaluation.
- Discussion of diagnostic tools and their utility.
Main Results:
- Common causes of pediatric headache include migraines and tension-type headaches.
- Red flags for serious conditions such as meningitis or intracranial hemorrhage are identified.
- Diagnostic workup should be guided by clinical presentation and suspected etiology.
Conclusions:
- A systematic approach to pediatric headache evaluation in the emergency department is essential.
- Differentiating benign from dangerous headaches ensures timely intervention for critical conditions.
- Appropriate use of investigations aids in accurate diagnosis and management of pediatric headaches.