Pediatric Headache

Abstract

Purpose of review: Headache is one of the most common health concerns in children and adolescents, yet remains underrecognized as a disease. A variety of factors, including the unique aspects of childhood headaches, contribute to this underrecognition.

Recent findings: Improving recognition of childhood and adolescent headaches and using a standardized approach for their evaluation is expected to lead to the appropriate diagnosis and subsequent additional evaluation and management to improve the overall outcome in children and adolescents with headaches. Building on limited studies in children and adolescents and translating adult studies to children can assist in designing a multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Summary: This review focuses on some of the unique aspects of evaluating children and adolescents with headaches; the impact of these headaches on school, home, and family function; determination of disability and influence of comorbid conditions; and development of a treatment plan that incorporates acute, preventive, and biobehavioral management tools.