Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

Short-lasting headaches in children

J P Vieira1, A B Salgueiro, M Alfaro

  • 1Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal. josepedrovieira@hotmail.com

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|September 12, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Brief headaches in children, often stabbing pains, share similarities with adult primary headache types. However, these headaches in children frequently occur at a younger age and outside the trigeminal nerve area.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Headache Medicine

Background:

  • Short-lasting headaches are understudied in children.
  • Applicability of adult primary headache classifications to pediatric populations is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the characteristics of brief headaches in a pediatric cohort.
  • To determine if adult primary headache categories apply to children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series of 20 children with brief headaches.
  • Clinical characteristics including pain location, associated symptoms, and family history were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Two patients had secondary headaches; one showed features of paroxysmal hemicrania.
  • Seventeen patients experienced very brief headaches, comparable to idiopathic stabbing headache in children.
  • Key differences included younger patient age and more frequent extratrigeminal pain location.

Conclusions:

  • Extratrigeminal ice-pick pain may represent a variant of idiopathic stabbing headache in young children.
  • Pediatric brief headaches may differ from adult counterparts, particularly in pain location and age of onset.

More Related Videos

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System07:02

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System

Published on: January 12, 2011

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes11:32

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes

Published on: December 8, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction01:26

Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction01:28

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...