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Children with frequent headaches may have more learning disabilities. This could be due to selection bias, and further studies are needed to confirm the link between headache and learning handicap.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Recurring or disabling headaches in children are common reasons for medical consultation.
- An observed association between frequent headaches and learning handicaps in pediatric populations warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore potential relationships between pediatric headache and learning handicap.
- To evaluate existing models explaining the comorbidity of headache and learning difficulties.
Main Methods:
- Review and theoretical consideration of five models linking headache and learning handicap.
- Analysis of potential selection bias (Berkson's principle) in patient populations.
Main Results:
- Two proposed models for the headache-learning handicap association were deemed overly simplistic.
- The prevalence of learning handicaps among children with recurrent headaches suggests a potential link requiring further research.
Conclusions:
- Further empirical studies are necessary to establish the association between learning handicap and headache in children.
- Clinical management should not be delayed; therapeutic interventions for children with both conditions are advised pending further research.
Abstract:
Children who are brought to medical attention because of frequently recurring or disabling headaches appear to have an increased prevalence of learning handicaps. Some of this increase might reflect Berkson's principle--the selection bias of an overrepresentation of patients with two disorders. Consideration is given to five models that show a relationship between learning handicap and headache. Two of the models are dismissed as too simple. Studies are needed to determine whether learning handicap and headache are indeed associated, and, if so, how. Clinicians are advised not to wait until these studies have been completed before implementing therapeutic programs that might prove helpful to those children with both headache and learning handicap.