Pediatric Headache: An Overview

Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2017 Mar;47(3):44-65. doi: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.01.002.

Abstract

Headache represents the most common neurologic disorder in the general population including children and is increasingly being recognized as a major source of morbidity in youth related to missed school days and activities. In this article, we take a holistic approach to the child presenting with headache with a focus on the detailed headache history, physical and neurologic examinations, and diagnostic evaluation of these patients. Clinical presentations and classification schema of multiple primary and secondary headache types in children are discussed using the International Headache Criteria (IHCD-3) as a guide, and a summary provided of the various treatment modalities employed for pediatric headache including lifestyle modifications, behavioral techniques, and abortive and preventive medications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age of Onset
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Child
  • Comorbidity
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnosis*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / therapy
  • Headache / diagnosis*
  • Headache / etiology
  • Headache / therapy
  • Humans
  • Medical History Taking / methods*
  • Neurologic Examination* / methods
  • Physical Examination* / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy