Cluster Headache in Children: Current Status, Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges and Future

This review aims to summarize the current understanding of cluster headaches (CH) in children, focusing on epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, treatment strategies, and future research directions.

Cluster headaches in children are infrequent, with an incidence that appears to be significantly lower than that observed in adults, highlighting the need for more comprehensive studies. Pediatric patients often present with atypical symptoms, such as shorter pain duration and less pronounced autonomic features, leading to frequent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. The hypothalamus plays a central role in the pathophysiology of CH, involving circadian rhythm disturbances, trigeminal nerve-vascular activation, and autonomic dysfunction. High-flow oxygen and triptan medications are effective for acute treatment in adults, but their safety and efficacy in children require further validation. Preventive treatments, such as verapamil, are used cautiously in pediatric patients, with close monitoring for side effects. Non-pharmacological interventions, including lifestyle adjustments and psychological support, are critical for long-term management. Cluster headaches in children are a rare but debilitating condition that poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Current diagnostic criteria, primarily based on adult data, may not fully capture the unique clinical features of pediatric patients, leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Treatment strategies are largely extrapolated from adult studies, with limited evidence-based data for children. Future research should focus on improving diagnostic criteria, exploring pediatric-specific pathophysiological mechanisms, and validating safe and effective treatment options. Early identification and intervention are essential to improving the quality of life and long-term outcomes for pediatric patients.