Cefalea en el niño

Abstract

Headache is a common symptom in Pediatrics. More than 75% of children suffer some headache episode during their years in school age. Primary headaches are one of the principal causes of chronic disease in Pediatrics. The anamnesis and physical examination make it possible to distinguish between secondary headache episodes due to non-serious causes (exercise, fever, etc.) and primary headache episodes in reference to secondary headache due to serious causes (brain tumors, central nervous system infection, etc.). In the latter group of patients, neuroimaging and/or spinal puncture should be performed. The two main types of primary headache are migraine, with or without aura, and tension-type headache. Non-pharmacological and appropriate pharmacology treatment should be based on a series of specific medical considerations related to headache type and the repercussion on the quality of life.