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Chronic post-traumatic headache in children and adolescents: systematic review of prevalence and headache features
Lauren Shaw1, Maria Morozova2, Ishaq Abu-Arafeh1,2
1Department of Paediatrics, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR, UK.
Insights
Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) affects 7.6% of children and adolescents after head injury. Migraine-like symptoms are the most common presentation, highlighting the need for targeted pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Traumatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) is a significant concern in pediatric populations following head trauma.
- Understanding its prevalence and clinical characteristics is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and determine the prevalence and clinical features of CPTH in children and adolescents.
- To analyze headache phenotypes associated with head injuries in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for studies published between 1980 and 2016.
- Included studies focused on children and adolescents (under 18) diagnosed with CPTH or related conditions post-head injury.
- Data collected included demographics, diagnostic criteria, headache occurrence, and specific headache presentations.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of nonspecific chronic headache after head injury in children was 39%.
- The prevalence of CPTH, defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (2004), was 7.6% (95% CI: 5.9-9.7).
- Migraine-like headache was the most frequent presentation, followed by tension-type headache.
Conclusions:
- CPTH is a prevalent condition in children and adolescents post-head injury.
- Migraine-like and tension-type headaches are the predominant phenotypes observed.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term impact and optimize treatment strategies for pediatric CPTH.
Abstract:
The aim of this systematic review is to determine the prevalence and clinical features of chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) in children and adolescents. Literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane databases and Google Scholar was carried out for all studies reporting on CPTH in children and young people under the age of 18 years between January 1980 and November 2016. Search command included post-traumatic headache, postconcussion syndrome, child and adolescent. Demographic data, diagnostic criteria of headache disorders, occurrence of headache after head injury and headache phenotypes were collected. The prevalence of nonspecific 'chronic headache' after head injury in children was 39% and prevalence of CPTH, as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (2004), was 7.6% (95% CI: 5.9-9.7). Migraine-like headache was the most common presentation followed by tension-type headache. Other children had either mixed or unclassified headache disorders.
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