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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
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Management of headaches in children

R H Haslam

    Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
    |January 22, 2011
    PubMed

    Insights

    Headaches are common in children, but severe or recurring cases need evaluation. This review covers migraine, organic, and psychogenic headaches, detailing their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Clinical Medicine
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Headaches are a frequent pediatric complaint.
    • Most childhood headaches are benign, but severe or unusual presentations warrant medical attention.
    • Headaches can signal underlying systemic or intracranial pathology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the three most common types of headaches in children.
    • To highlight characteristic symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies.
    • To differentiate between migraine, organic, and psychogenic headaches in pediatric patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of pediatric headache types.
    • Analysis of symptoms, investigations, and treatments for common pediatric headaches.
    • Focus on differentiating features for migraine, organic, and psychogenic headaches.

    Main Results:

    • Migraine, organic headaches, and psychogenic headaches are the most common types in children.
    • Recurrent headaches with normal development may suggest migraine or psychogenic causes.
    • Headaches can be linked to systemic illness or increased intracranial pressure.

    Conclusions:

    • A thorough evaluation is crucial for children with severe, recurring, or atypical headaches.
    • Understanding the distinct features of migraine, organic, and psychogenic headaches aids diagnosis.
    • Effective management relies on accurate identification of the headache type in children.

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