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Frequent headaches in the preadolescent pediatric population: a population-based study
M A Arruda1, V Guidetti, F Galli
1Glia Institute, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Chronic daily headaches (CDH) and high-frequency episodic headaches (HFEH) are common in children. These headaches affect more girls and nonwhite children, highlighting a need for awareness and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epidemiology of Headaches
Background:
- Early-onset neurological conditions may indicate increased biological predisposition or specific risk factors.
- Understanding headache prevalence in children is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of chronic daily headaches (CDH) and high-frequency episodic headaches (HFEH) in preadolescent children.
- To identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with these headache types.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 1,547 preadolescent children was surveyed.
- Validated questionnaires assessed headache frequency, including CDH (≥15 days/month) and HFEH (10-14 days/month).
- Statistical analysis adjusted for gender, age, parental history, income, and school of origin.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of CDH was 1.68% and HFEH was 2.52% in the study population.
- Both CDH and HFEH were significantly more prevalent in girls compared to boys.
- Nonwhite children exhibited higher prevalence rates for both CDH and HFEH compared to white children, with income also being a significant factor.
Conclusions:
- High-frequency episodic headaches and chronic daily headaches are prevalent in preadolescent children.
- Healthcare providers and educators need to recognize the significant impact of these conditions.
- Early identification and treatment are essential for managing pediatric headaches.
Objectives:
To estimate the prevalence of chronic daily headaches (CDH) and of high-frequency episodic headaches (HFEH) in preadolescent children from the general population.
Background:
Early-onset cases of neurologic diseases often reflect increased biologic predisposition, specific risk factors, or both.
Methods:
Of 2,173 children identified as the target sample, consents were obtained from 1,870 (86.0%), and analyzable data were provided by 1,547 (71.2%). Parents and children were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of 97 questions, with a validated headache module (10 questions). Crude and adjusted prevalences of HFEH (10-14 headache days per month) and CDH (15 or more headache days per month) were calculated.
Results:
The prevalence of CDH was 1.68% (girls 2.09%, boys 1.33%). The overall prevalence of HFEH was 2.52% (girls 2.8%, boys 2.3%). After adjusting for gender, age, parental history of headaches, income, and school of origin, the prevalence of CDH was higher in girls than in boys (2.2% vs 1.1%, p < 0.01) and in nonwhite vs white children (2.2% vs 1.2%, p < 0.01). Similar differences were seen for HFEH (girls 3.1%, boys 2.0%, p < 0.01), (nonwhite 3.1%, white 1.9%, p < 0.01). Income significantly contributed to the model.
Conclusion:
High-frequency episodic headaches and chronic daily headaches are common in the preadolescent pediatric population. Health care providers and educators should be aware of the magnitude of the problem to properly identify and treat children with headaches.
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