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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

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Migraine and headache in children and adolescents: A 2026 evidence-based factsheet

Derya Uludüz1, Ishaq Abu-Arafeh2, Serena Laura Orr3

  • 1Department of Neurology, Istanbul Atlas University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|August 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Headache disorders, including migraine, significantly impact children and adolescents globally, causing disability and affecting quality of life. Early, equitable care is crucial to prevent long-term health issues and improve brain health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Headache disorders, especially migraine, are a leading cause of disability worldwide, often starting in childhood and adolescence.
  • Paediatric headache disorders are under-recognized and under-represented in global health policies.
  • These conditions significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life for young individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive, developmentally informed overview of the global burden of headache disorders in children and adolescents.
  • To synthesize evidence on epidemiology, disability, impacts, risk factors, and management disparities.
  • To highlight urgent priorities for policy, advocacy, and research.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of evidence from population-based studies, systematic reviews, clinical cohorts.
  • Inclusion of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 point-prevalence estimates.
  • Analysis of key domains: epidemiology, disability, functional/psychosocial impacts, risk factors, treatment gaps, and management strategies, with attention to sociodemographic disparities.

Main Results:

  • Headache disorder prevalence increases with age, from 10.71% (5-9 years) to 42.64% (15-19 years).
  • Migraine prevalence rises from 2.79% to 18.08% in the same age groups.
  • Migraine is a leading cause of disability from early life, impairing school, social participation, and quality of life, with frequent comorbidities and inequitable access to care.

Conclusions:

  • Headache disorders in children and adolescents represent a major global public health challenge.
  • Early, equitable, and developmentally tailored care is essential to mitigate lifelong disability.
  • Addressing these disorders is crucial for improving global brain health outcomes.

Keywords:
children and adolescentsdisabilityglobal burden of diseasemigrainepaediatric headachepublic health

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