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Pediatric headaches are common and cause distress. Recognizing red flags for secondary headaches and primary headache types is crucial for effective management and improving children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Childhood Headache Disorders
Background:
- Headaches are a prevalent issue in children and adolescents, significantly impacting quality of life.
- Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management and reducing disability.
- Distinguishing between primary and secondary headaches is critical for appropriate care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of headaches in pediatric populations.
- To outline signs and symptoms indicative of secondary headaches.
- To define common primary headache disorders in childhood and discuss management strategies for pediatric migraine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pediatric headache epidemiology.
- Analysis of clinical indicators for secondary headaches ('red flags').
- Synthesis of diagnostic criteria for primary childhood headaches.
- Overview of acute and chronic pediatric migraine management options.
Main Results:
- Headaches in children and adolescents present with diverse characteristics.
- Identification of specific 'red flags' aids in diagnosing serious secondary causes.
- Primary headache types, such as migraine, have distinct features in pediatric patients.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of pediatric headaches requires recognizing warning signs and understanding primary headache types.
- Timely and accurate diagnosis improves patient outcomes and reduces family burden.
- Comprehensive care strategies are needed for both acute and chronic pediatric migraine.
Abstract:
Headaches are common in childhood and adolescence and can cause significant distress and disability for a child and their family. Providers need to be able to identify "red flags" for worrisome causes of secondary headaches and recognize typical primary headache characteristics to provide each patient with the best possible care to improve their quality of life and minimize disability. This article reviews the epidemiology of headaches in children, signs and symptoms of secondary headaches, definitions of some primary childhood headaches, and options for management of both acute and chronic pediatric migraine. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(4):e155-e165.].