Headaches in children

Choon How How1, Wei Shih Derrick Chan

  • 1SingHealth Polyclinics - Sengkang, 2 Sengkang Square, Sengkang Community Hub, #01-06, Singapore 545025. how.choon.how@singhealth.com.sg.

Insights

Pediatric headaches are common, often caused by simple factors like tiredness or viral fever. A headache diary can help primary care doctors diagnose chronic headaches in children and rule out serious conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Headaches are a frequent complaint in childhood.
  • Primary headaches are common in children.
  • Identifying common causes like fatigue, vision problems, infections, and stress is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline diagnostic approaches for pediatric headaches in primary care.
  • To emphasize the exclusion of serious underlying causes.
  • To highlight the utility of headache symptom diaries for chronic cases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common pediatric headache etiologies.
  • Discussion of primary care consultation strategies.
  • Emphasis on the role of symptom documentation.

Main Results:

  • Common causes include tiredness, myopia, viral fever, sinusitis, and psychosocial stress.
  • Diagnosis involves identifying the cause and excluding red flags.
  • Headache diaries offer valuable data for chronic headache evaluation.

Conclusions:

  • Most childhood headaches are benign and manageable.
  • A systematic approach is needed to diagnose and treat pediatric headaches.
  • Symptom diaries are a practical tool for primary care physicians managing chronic pediatric headaches.

Related Concept Videos

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....
1.4K
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...
27
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...
1.0K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
410
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins...
20
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
967