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Headaches in children. When is a complete diagnostic workup indicated?
1Palm Beach Headache Center, Florida, USA.
Insights
Pediatric migraines and headaches require prompt evaluation and management discussions. Treatment options for children and adolescents are expanding, including new medications and preventive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- Headaches, including migraines, are common in children and adolescents.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for this population.
- Treatment options for pediatric headaches have historically been limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the initial presentation and management of pediatric migraines and headaches.
- To discuss therapeutic goals and available treatment options for young patients.
- To highlight emerging treatments for adolescent migraineurs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on pediatric headache management.
- Discussion of current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies.
- Exploration of new medication classes, such as serotonin agonists.
Main Results:
- Pediatric headaches necessitate careful follow-up and investigation.
- Therapeutic goal discussions are essential for effective migraine management.
- Older children and adolescents have access to a growing number of treatment options.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive management plans should be developed for pediatric migraines.
- Patient and parent education on available therapies is vital.
- Preventive strategies, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic, should be considered for recurrent headaches.
Abstract:
Migraines, migraine variants, and other headache types often present for the first time during childhood; they require follow-up and, when appropriate, further investigation. Management of migraine should include a discussion of therapeutic goals with patients and parents. Appropriate medications are limited in younger children, but older children and adolescents have more options, such as the new serotonin-agonist agents (eg, sumatriptan succinate), which are now undergoing study for use in this age-group. Preventive therapy, both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic, should be described to patients and parents so they understand the options available if headaches recur.