Headache in Children and Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Headache Medicine

Background:

• Primary headache disorders are highly prevalent in children and adolescents, with migraine affecting approximately 10% of this population.
• Early diagnosis and management of pediatric headaches are crucial for improving long-term headache and mental health outcomes, reducing disability.
• Recent research has illuminated less common pediatric headache types and psychosocial risk factors.

Approach:

• Review of current epidemiological data on pediatric headache disorders.
• Overview of primary headache disorders, including migraine, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.
• Examination of evidence-based acute and preventive management strategies for youth headaches.

Key Points:

• Migraine is the most frequent headache diagnosis in pediatric neurology.
• Emerging treatments targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway and noninvasive neuromodulation show promise, with growing pediatric evidence.
• Shared decision-making, utilizing available evidence, is recommended for treatment selection.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of primary headache disorders in youth can significantly mitigate long-term disability and improve quality of life.
• The landscape of pediatric headache treatment is evolving with new therapeutic targets and modalities.
• A comprehensive, evidence-based approach is essential for optimizing care in children and adolescents with headaches.