Headache in the pediatric patient

Abstract

Because migraine headaches can commonly start in childhood and adolescence, early recognition and establishment of a treatment plan and implementation of lifestyle changes can alter disease progression and ultimately improve the child’s quality of life. Obtaining a thorough history and comprehensive examination is often sufficient to make the diagnosis. However, instances do exist which should alert the clinician to the possibility of a secondary cause of headaches, and appropriate diagnostic testing should be ordered in such situations. Once the diagnosis has been made, an individualized therapeutic approach, taking into account the developmental stage of the child and the high rate of psychiatric and other comorbidities, can be implemented.