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Headache symptoms in pediatric sickle cell patients
Tonya M Palermo1, Candis Platt-Houston, Raechel E Kiska
1Department of Anesthesiology & Peri-Operative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA. palermot@ohsu.edu
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|August 13, 2005
Summary
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently experience moderate headaches, often migraines. Migraine symptoms significantly increase functional disability in these pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Hematology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder associated with various complications.
- Headaches are a common but understudied symptom in children with SCD.
- Understanding headache characteristics is crucial for managing pain and improving quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize headaches in children diagnosed with SCD.
- To evaluate the association between headache symptoms and functional disability and psychological distress.
- To apply the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) criteria for diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 children (ages 9-17) with SCD was surveyed.
- A detailed headache questionnaire based on ICHD-2 criteria was administered.
- Measures of functional disability and psychological distress were included.
Main Results:
- Headaches occurred in 76.2% of children within a 3-month period.
- Frequent headaches ( > 1/week) were reported by 31.2% of patients.
- Migraine symptoms (43.8%) and tension-type headaches (50.0%) were most common.
- Migraine symptoms correlated with significantly higher functional disability (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Headaches are prevalent and often debilitating in children with SCD.
- Migraine symptoms are associated with greater functional impairment.
- Further research is needed to optimize headache management and daily functioning in pediatric SCD patients.