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Chronic post-traumatic headache after head injury in children and adolescents

Charlotte Kirk1, George Nagiub, Ishaq Abu-Arafeh

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Stirling Royal Infirmary, Stirling, UK.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|April 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) is common in children after head injury (HI). Most cases resemble tension-type headache or migraine and typically resolve within months, indicating a good prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Traumatology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Head injury (HI) is a common occurrence in children.
  • Understanding the long-term sequelae of HI, particularly headache, is crucial for pediatric care.
  • Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) can significantly impact a child's quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and characteristics of chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) in children following head injury (HI).
  • To describe the clinical features and prognosis of CPTH in a pediatric cohort.
  • To differentiate CPTH from premorbid headache patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, observational study of 117 children (aged 3-15 years) admitted with HI.
  • Data collected on HI nature and premorbid headache history.
  • Structured telephone interviews conducted 2 months post-injury and at 4-month intervals for up to 3 years.

Main Results:

  • Eight children (6.8%) developed CPTH after minor or significant HI.
  • CPTH presentations included features of tension-type headache and migraine.
  • Headache resolved in all but one child within 3 to 27 months, indicating a favorable prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) is a notable complication following pediatric head injury (HI).
  • CPTH in children shares clinical characteristics with common headache disorders like tension-type headache and migraine.
  • The prognosis for CPTH in children is generally good, with most cases resolving over time.

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