Headache outpatient clinic in a pediatric tertiary care facility

Pediatric headaches are considered an underdiagnosed condition, and yet can have a significant impact on a child's daily life. We recently opened a pediatric headache outpatient clinic at a tertiary care pediatric facility to better assist patients with unmanaged headaches.

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of pediatric headache patients who first visited our headache outpatient clinic from its opening in May 2022-October 2023. Clinical findings were compared with data from pediatric headache patients seen in our department during the 11 years before the headache outpatient clinic was established.

Sixty-eight patients (39 boys and 29 girls) made their first visit to our headache outpatient clinic. The monthly frequency of patient visits was significantly higher than that before clinic establishment. Headaches were described as frequent and affected daily life. More than half of patients had migraines, with primary headaches accounting for approximately 60% of cases. Secondary headaches included adjustment disorder and orthostatic dysregulation. All patients were instructed on nonpharmacological lifestyle guidance. In roughly half of patients, nonpharmacological therapy plus acute abortive therapy were sufficient to improve headaches. Ultimately, over 80% of patients experienced some headache relief.

Pediatric patients seeking a headache cure may be more common than previously thought. To point the way for those patients, additional pediatric headache specialists and headache outpatient clinics should be considered.