Primary headaches in children and adolescents - experiences at a single headache center in Korea

Headache is a common complaint in children and adolescents. Recently, an increased prevalence of headache in children and adolescents has been reported.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children and adolescents attending the Headache Clinic of Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital during the period from January 2005 through December 2016.

The study population consisted of 2466 children, aged between 3 and 18 years (mean age: 10.9). Our study showed an increase in the number of patients visiting the hospital with headaches during the past decade. Compared with 2005, the number of patients with headache increased three-fold in 2016. Interestingly, the proportion of boys, preschool children, and other primary headaches revealed a steady and statistically significant increase.

Due to a steady increase in pediatric headaches, the earlier the problem is recognized and properly diagnosed and a treatment plan is established, the greater the likelihood of a better lifelong outcome. Studies are needed to estimate recent trend in prevalence and to identify the demographic and socioeconomic factors predicting the occurrence of headache.