Bóle głowy u dzieci
Epidemiologia

Bóle głowy u dzieci i adolescentów stanowią najczęstszą manifestację neurologiczną, z łączną częstością występowania pierwotnych bólów głowy w populacji pediatrycznej (8-18 lat) sięgającą 62% (95% CI: 53-70%). Występuje wyraźny wzrost częstości wraz z wiekiem, od 37-51% u dzieci rozpoczynających naukę szkolną do 57-82% u piętnastolatków. Migrena dotyka około 11% dzieci (95% CI: 9-14%), z migreną bez aury u 8% (95% CI: 5-12%) i z aurą u 3% (95% CI: 2-4%). Ból głowy typu napięciowego (TTH) jest najczęstszym typem pierwotnego bólu głowy, występującym u około 17% dzieci (95% CI: 12-23%). Przewlekłe codzienne bóle głowy (CDH) dotyczą 2-4% młodszych dzieci i 4-5% nastolatków. Czynniki ryzyka obejmują płeć żeńską po dojrzewaniu, stres, zaburzenia snu, nadużywanie leków oraz czynniki psychospołeczne. Bóle głowy u dzieci wiążą się z istotnym obniżeniem jakości życia, ograniczeniem aktywności szkolnej i społecznej oraz współistnieniem zaburzeń psychicznych, takich jak depresja i lęk.

Epidemiologia bólów głowy u dzieci

Bóle głowy stanowią najczęstszą manifestację neurologiczną u dzieci i adolescentów oraz jedną z głównych przyczyn niepełnosprawności na całym świecie. Mimo rosnącej świadomości na temat wpływu bólów głowy na funkcjonowanie młodych pacjentów, wysokiej jakości dane epidemiologiczne pozostają ograniczone i często niejednorodne.12 Przyczyny tej niejednorodności obejmują zróżnicowane cechy populacji badanych (wiek, płeć, status społeczno-ekonomiczny), różne metodologie badawcze (kwestionariusze szkolne, wywiady kliniczne, ankiety telefoniczne) oraz stosowanie odmiennych kryteriów diagnostycznych, które nie zawsze są specyficzne dla wieku rozwojowego.3

Częstotliwość występowania bólów głowy w populacji pediatrycznej

Zakrojone na szeroką skalę badania epidemiologiczne wykazują, że bóle głowy są powszechnym problemem wśród dzieci i młodzieży. Według aktualnych danych, łączna częstość występowania pierwotnych bólów głowy w populacji pediatrycznej (8-18 lat) wynosi aż 62% [95% CI: 53-70%].11 Niektóre źródła podają nawet, że do 90% dzieci w wieku szkolnym doświadcza bólów głowy.1 Co istotne, obserwuje się wyraźny wzrost częstości występowania bólów głowy wraz z wiekiem – od około 37-51% u dzieci rozpoczynających naukę szkolną do nawet 57-82% u piętnastolatków.12

W przekrojowym badaniu epidemiologicznym przeprowadzonym przez Bille, obejmującym kwestionariusz wypełniony przez 8993 dzieci w wieku 7-15 lat, stwierdzono, że 59% badanych doświadczyło bólu głowy przynajmniej raz w życiu. Natomiast w systematycznym badaniu kwestionariuszowym 2941 dzieci, Sillanpaa wykazał, że częstość występowania bólów głowy wynosi 37% w wieku 7 lat, wzrastając do 69% w wieku 14 lat.1 Metaanaliza wykazała, że częstość występowania bólów głowy w wieku 7 lat wynosi około 60%.2

W badaniu przeprowadzonym w Korei, 29,1% uczniów doświadczyło nawracających bólów głowy w ciągu roku, a częstość ich występowania stopniowo wzrastała z wiekiem.1 Natomiast badanie populacyjne przeprowadzone w Stanach Zjednoczonych wykazało, że 17% dzieci zgłaszało częste lub silne bóle głowy w ciągu ostatniego roku.2

Różnice związane z płcią

Częstość występowania bólów głowy różni się w zależności od płci, z wyraźnymi zmianami obserwowanymi w okresie dojrzewania. Według dostępnych danych, łączna częstość występowania pierwotnych bólów głowy wynosi 38% [95% CI: 16-66%] u dziewcząt i 27% [95% CI: 11-53%] u chłopców.11 Przed okresem dojrzewania częstość występowania bólów głowy jest podobna u chłopców i dziewcząt, a nawet nieco częstsza u chłopców, jednak po rozpoczęciu okresu dojrzewania częstość występowania znacząco wzrasta u dziewcząt.11

W przypadku migreny, do czasu osiągnięcia dojrzałości płciowej, schorzenie to jest częstsze u chłopców (55-60%), natomiast po okresie dojrzewania przeważają dziewczęta (75%).1 Ta zmiana proporcji płci jest istotnym czynnikiem epidemiologicznym, który należy uwzględnić przy planowaniu strategii profilaktycznych i terapeutycznych.1

Rodzaje bólów głowy u dzieci

Bóle głowy u dzieci można sklasyfikować jako pierwotne, gdzie ból jest wynikiem samego schorzenia bólowego, oraz wtórne, gdzie ból jest objawem choroby podstawowej.1 Najczęstszymi typami pierwotnych bólów głowy u dzieci są ból głowy typu napięciowego (TTH) oraz migrena.11

Migrena u dzieci

Migrena stanowi najistotniejszy i jeden z najczęstszych typów bólu głowy u dzieci i młodzieży.1 Według danych epidemiologicznych, częstość występowania migreny u dzieci wynosi około 11% [95% CI: 9-14%], przy czym migrena bez aury (MwoA) występuje u około 8% [95% CI: 5-12%], a migrena z aurą (MwA) u około 3% [95% CI: 2-4%].1 Szacuje się, że migrena dotyka około 7-9% dzieci i młodzieży na całym świecie.11

Średni wiek zachorowania na migrenę wynosi 7 lat u chłopców i 11 lat u dziewcząt, chociaż zwiastuny migreny, takie jak migrena brzuszna, zespół cyklicznych wymiotów czy łagodne napadowe zawroty głowy u dzieci, mogą wystąpić jeszcze wcześniej.1 Interesujące jest, że te stany poprzedzające często przekształcają się w migrenę po osiągnięciu dojrzałości płciowej.

Według metaanalizy Lewisa i współpracowników, obejmującej ponad 25 000 osób, częstość występowania migreny wynosi 2% w wieku 3-7 lat, 7% w wieku 7-11 lat i aż 20% w wieku 11-15 lat.1 Inne badania sugerują, że do 15 roku życia migrena występuje u nawet 28% dzieci.2

Ból głowy typu napięciowego

Ból głowy typu napięciowego (TTH) jest najczęstszym typem pierwotnego bólu głowy u dzieci i młodzieży, z częstością występowania wynoszącą około 17% [95% CI: 12-23%].11 W badaniach epidemiologicznych, TTH stanowi najczęstszy typ bólu głowy, wyprzedzając migrenę, chociaż migrena jest bardziej bolesna i częściej prowadzi do wizyt w szpitalu.1

Według badań przeprowadzonych w Austrii na reprezentatywnej próbie 3386 uczniów w wieku 10-18 lat, częstość występowania TTH w ciągu roku wynosiła 21,6%, podczas gdy migrena występowała u 24,2% badanych.1 Przewlekły ból głowy typu napięciowego występuje u około 0,9% piętnastolatków.1

Przewlekłe codzienne bóle głowy

Przewlekłe codzienne bóle głowy (CDH) stanowią istotny problem u dzieci i młodzieży. Częstość występowania CDH u młodszych dzieci wynosi około 2-4%, a u nastolatków i dorosłych 4-5%.1 Według austriackiego badania, przewlekły ból głowy występujący 15 dni w miesiącu dotyka około 3% młodzieży.1

Szczególnie niepokojącym zjawiskiem jest występowanie prawdopodobnego bólu głowy z nadużywania leków (pMOH) u dzieci i młodzieży. W badaniu przeprowadzonym w Beninie, częstość występowania pMOH wzrastała z 0,5% u dzieci do 1,8% u młodzieży (AOR 4,2), co stanowi istotny sygnał alarmowy dotyczący rozwijającego się problemu nadużywania leków przeciwbólowych w okresie przedpokwitaniowym.1

Badania wskazują, że wśród uczniów z bólem głowy występującym co najmniej 2 dni w miesiącu, 48,1% zgłasza przyjmowanie leków przeciwbólowych, przy czym najczęściej stosowane są ibuprofen (49,1%) i paracetamol (32,8%).1

Wpływ bólów głowy na funkcjonowanie dzieci

Bóle głowy u dzieci i młodzieży mają istotny wpływ na jakość życia, przyczyniając się do ograniczenia aktywności społecznych, aktywności fizycznej, absencji szkolnej, słabszych wyników w nauce, zwiększonego ryzyka porzucenia szkoły, a także negatywnego wpływu na kariery zawodowe rodziców.1

Wpływ na edukację i życie społeczne

Według badań, ograniczenia w codziennym życiu występują u około 42% młodych ludzi z bólem głowy, a jakość życia związana ze zdrowiem jest obniżona u prawie wszystkich dzieci i młodzieży cierpiących na bóle głowy.1 W badaniu przeprowadzonym w Hiszpanii, spośród 1619 uczniów w wieku 12-18 lat, 30,5% zgłaszało nawracające bóle głowy, z czego 32,9% doświadczało co najmniej jednego epizodu tygodniowo, a 44,1% cierpiało z powodu niepełnosprawności związanej z bólem głowy, mierzonej za pomocą kwestionariusza PedMIDAS.2

Bóle głowy stanowią drugą co do częstości neurologiczną przyczynę przyjęć na oddział ratunkowy.1 U dzieci z migrenami obserwuje się poważne zakłócenia w codziennym życiu, w tym w funkcjonowaniu szkolnym, które dotykają około 8% dzieci i młodzieży w Korei.2

Współistniejące zaburzenia psychiczne

Bólom głowy u dzieci i młodzieży często towarzyszą depresja lub lęk, a także są one związane z wyższym wskaźnikiem prób samobójczych.1 W badaniu przeprowadzonym w Korei, pediatryczni pacjenci z bólem głowy wykazywali wyższe poziomy na skalach objawów somatycznych, problemów z myśleniem, uwagą i psychozy w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną.2

Diagnoza i decyzje dotyczące leczenia są często komplikowane przez współistniejące choroby, które mogą współwystępować z różnymi rodzajami pierwotnych bólów głowy.1 Astma, alergie, choroba lokomocyjna i zaburzenia napadowe są częstsze u pacjentów z migreną.1

Czynniki ryzyka i rokowanie

Obok czynników genetycznych, czynniki psychospołeczne i behawioralne są powiązane z występowaniem bólów głowy u dzieci i młodzieży.1 Rodzinny wywiad w kierunku migreny, płeć żeńska i zmiany hormonalne, zła jakość snu, stres, nadużywanie leków oraz zespoły okresowe są czynnikami ryzyka bólów głowy u dzieci.1

Czynniki predysponujące

Do najczęstszych czynników wyzwalających ból głowy typu napięciowego należy stres (w 66% przypadków CTTH i 48% przypadków migreny przewlekłej), natomiast deprywacja snu występuje u 11% pacjentów z CTTH i 35% pacjentów z migreną przewlekłą. Jasne światło stanowi czynnik wyzwalający u 5,26% przypadków CTTH i 15% przypadków migreny przewlekłej.1 Nadmierne korzystanie z urządzeń elektronicznych jest związane z występowaniem bólu głowy u nastolatków (powyżej 10 lat) (p≤0,05).2

Wśród czynników ryzyka wymienia się również częste choroby, takie jak przeziębienia, grypa oraz infekcje uszu i zatok, które są jednymi z najczęstszych przyczyn bólów głowy u dzieci.1 Stres i niepokój, być może wywołane problemami z rówieśnikami, nauczycielami lub rodzicami, mogą również odgrywać rolę w bólach głowy u dzieci.1

Rokowanie długoterminowe

Dzieci cierpiące na bóle głowy nie zawsze będą doświadczać ich jako dorośli. W jednym z badań obejmującym 100 dzieci z bólem głowy, osiem lat później 44% z tych z bólem głowy typu napięciowego i 28% z tych z migreną było wolnych od bólu głowy.1 W innym badaniu osób z przewlekłym codziennym bólem głowy, 75% nie miało przewlekłych codziennych bólów głowy dwa lata później, a 88% nie miało przewlekłych codziennych bólów głowy osiem lat później.2

Migrena samoistnie ustępuje po okresie dojrzewania u połowy dzieci, jednak jeśli rozpoczyna się w okresie dojrzewania, może być bardziej prawdopodobne, że będzie utrzymywać się przez całe dorosłe życie.1 Bóle głowy w wieku szkolnym zwiększają ryzyko przewlekłych bólów głowy w wieku dorosłym.1

Badania diagnostyczne i postępowanie

Pierwszymi krokami w ocenie bólu głowy u dziecka są dokładny wywiad, badanie przedmiotowe i badanie neurologiczne. Jeśli którekolwiek z tych badań jest nieprawidłowe lub budzi podejrzenie wtórnej etiologii, wskazana jest dalsza ocena.1

Obraz kliniczny i diagnostyka

Kliniczne objawy pierwotnych bólów głowy w dzieciństwie różnią się od tych u dorosłych.1 Kryteria diagnostyczne Międzynarodowego Towarzystwa Bólów Głowy (IHS) dla pediatrycznych bólów głowy są ograniczone, ponieważ opierają się na opisach objawów przez pacjenta, podczas gdy w praktyce wiele cech definiujących migrenę (np. nietolerancja światła lub hałasu) jest wywnioskowanych z zachowania dziecka, a nie zgłaszanych bezpośrednio.1

Rola neuroobrazowania w diagnostyce bólów głowy u dzieci jest kontrowersyjna. Tomografia komputerowa (CT) lub rezonans magnetyczny (MRI) są wskazane u pacjentów z przewlekłym-postępującym wzorcem bólu głowy oraz u tych, którzy mają nieprawidłowe wyniki w badaniu neurologicznym.1 Wytyczne stanowią, że dzieci z nieprawidłowymi badaniami neurologicznymi, dezorientacją, drgawkami i niedawnym wystąpieniem najgorszego bólu głowy w życiu, zmianą typu bólu głowy lub czymkolwiek sugerującym problemy neurologiczne powinny zostać poddane neuroobrazowaniu.1

Niedawna zmiana wzorca bólu głowy lub nowo rozwinięty ból głowy w ciągu 3 miesięcy może być ważną wskazówką poważnej etiologii podstawowej.1 Objawy alarmowe, które powinny skłonić do poszukiwania pomocy medycznej, to: bóle głowy, które budzą dziecko ze snu lub występują wczesnym rankiem, wymioty wczesnym rankiem bez nudności, pogarszające się lub częstsze bóle głowy, zmiany osobowości, skargi na „najgorszy ból głowy w życiu”, ból głowy inny niż poprzednie bóle głowy, bóle głowy z gorączką lub sztywnym karkiem, bóle głowy ze zmianami widzenia, bóle głowy po urazie oraz bóle głowy z drgawkami lub epizodami omdleń.1

Opcje terapeutyczne

Leczenie bólów głowy u dzieci jest ograniczone w porównaniu z dorosłymi.1 Bóle głowy u dzieci zwykle można leczyć za pomocą leków przeciwbólowych dostępnych bez recepty (OTC) oraz zdrowych nawyków, takich jak regularny harmonogram snu i jedzenia.1

Leczenie migreny koncentruje się na modyfikacji stylu życia, terapii behawioralnej oraz farmakoterapii ostrych epizodów i długoterminowej terapii profilaktycznej.1 Lekarz może zalecić lek zapobiegawczy, jeśli bóle głowy są ciężkie, występują codziennie i zakłócają normalny styl życia dziecka. Niektóre leki przyjmowane w regularnych odstępach czasu, takie jak niektóre leki przeciwdepresyjne, leki przeciwpadaczkowe lub beta-blokery, mogą zmniejszyć częstotliwość i nasilenie bólów głowy.1

Mamy nadzieję, że w przyszłości leki takie jak środki związane z CGRP staną się dostępne do stosowania u dzieci.1

Wnioski i perspektywy

Bóle głowy u dzieci i młodzieży stanowią powszechny problem zdrowotny, prowadzący do znacznej chorobowości i częstych wizyt w placówkach opieki zdrowotnej.1 Globalna częstość występowania bólów głowy u dzieci i młodzieży jest zatrważająco wysoka, co podkreśla potrzebę zwiększenia świadomości na temat tego konkretnego problemu zdrowotnego.1

Rosnące dowody wskazują, że ból głowy jest niedocenianym powszechnym zaburzeniem u dzieci i młodzieży. W związku z tym społeczeństwo kładzie zbyt mały nacisk na jego zapobieganie i leczenie. Dlatego też zakres społecznego i zdrowotno-ekonomicznego obciążenia częstymi bólami głowy u dzieci i młodzieży musi być lepiej zilustrowany na całym świecie.1

Epidemiologia bólów głowy u dzieci i młodzieży nadal budzi zainteresowanie, jednak konkretne odkrycia o dużym znaczeniu pozostają przeoczone.1 Istnieje duża potrzeba wysokiej jakości badań populacyjnych raportujących epidemiologiczną zmienność pierwotnych bólów głowy w określonych grupach wiekowych.2

Brak badań epidemiologicznych dotyczących częstości występowania i częstości występowania tych innych pierwotnych bólów głowy pokazuje potrzebę dalszych badań nad mniej powszechnymi, choć równie upośledzającymi, pierwotnymi bólami głowy w populacji pediatrycznej.1

Dalsze aktualne badania są potrzebne, aby uzupełnić obraz pediatrycznego obciążenia związanego z bólem głowy w celu zwiększenia specyficznych interwencji publicznych.1

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  1. 13.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text
    https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-023-01541-0
    Headache is the most prevalent neurological manifestation in adults and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In children and adolescents, headaches are arguably responsible for a remarkable impact on physical and psychological issues, yet high-quality evidence is scarce. […] The pooled prevalence of overall primary headache in children and adolescents was 62% [95% CI: 5370%], with prevalence in females and males of 38% [95% CI: 1666%] and 27% [95% CI: 1153%] respectively. […] We found an overall remarkably high prevalence of primary headaches in children and adolescents, even if flawed by a high degree of heterogeneity. […] Comprehensive epidemiological studies on prevalence and incidence of primary headaches in developmental age are lacking and frequently heterogeneous, due to population studies characteristics, such as age range, sex, social and economic background, the various methodologies used (e.g., school-based questionnaires, clinician interviews, phone surveys) and the different diagnostic criteria applied, sometimes not specific to developmental age.
  • #1 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36782182/
    Headache is the most prevalent neurological manifestation in adults and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In children and adolescents, headaches are arguably responsible for a remarkable impact on physical and psychological issues, yet high-quality evidence is scarce. […] The pooled prevalence of primary headaches was 11% for migraine overall [95%CI: 9-14%], 8% for migraine without aura (MwoA) [95%CI: 5-12%], 3% for migraine with aura (MwA) [95%CI:2-4%] and 17% for tension-type headache (TTH) [95% CI: 12-23%]. The pooled prevalence of overall primary headache in children and adolescents was 62% [95% CI: 53-70%], with prevalence in females and males of 38% [95% CI: 16-66%] and 27% [95% CI: 11-53%] respectively. […] We found an overall remarkably high prevalence of primary headaches in children and adolescents, even if flawed by a high degree of heterogeneity. Further up-to-date studies are warranted to complete the picture of pediatric headache-related burden to enhance specific public interventions.
  • #1
    https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/headache-children
    Headaches occur in over 90% of school-age children and are generally not serious. […] Certain features of a headache will point to important conditions that may need urgent treatment. […] Headaches are more common in children older than 10 years old and children who have a family history of headaches or migraines. […] While the occasional headache is nothing to worry about, sometimes it can be a symptom of a more serious condition. […] The following symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention: Headaches that wake a child from sleep or occur in the early morning, Early morning vomiting without nausea, Worsening or more frequent headaches, Personality changes, Complaints such as „this is the worst headache I’ve ever had!”, The headache is different than previous headaches, Headaches with fever or a stiff neck, Headaches with changes in vision, Headaches that follow an injury, Headaches with seizures or fainting episodes. […] Treatment options for headaches in children depend on your child’s age and the type, severity and frequency of headaches.
  • #1 Headaches in Children and Adolescents | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0215/p625.html
    Headaches are common during childhood and become more common and increase in frequency during adolescence. […] An epidemiologic survey of 9,000 school children found that one third of the children who were at least seven years of age and one half of those who were at least 15 years of age had headaches. Frequent headache was reported in 2.5 percent of children who were at least seven years of age and 15 percent of those who were at least 15 years of age. The prevalence of headache ranged from 37 to 51 percent in those who were at least seven years of age and gradually rose to 57 to 82 percent by age 15. Before puberty, boys are affected more frequently than girls, but after the onset of puberty, headaches occur more frequently in girls. […] The medical evaluation of a child or adolescent presenting with headache requires a thorough history followed by a complete physical and neurologic examination.
  • #1 Pediatric Headache: Practice Essentials, Background, Etiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2110861-overview
    In a widely cited study, Bille analyzed a questionnaire of 8993 children aged 7-15 years in the city of Uppsala in Sweden and found that 59% had suffered headache at some time in their life. In a systematic questionnaire of 2941 children, Sillanpaa found the prevalence of headache to be 37% at age 7 years, increasing to 69% by 14 years; migraine accounted for 2.7% and 10.6% of these headaches, respectively. […] […] A meta-analysis found that the prevalence of headache in general was approximately 60% by age 7. Other studies have shown that up to 51% of children aged 7 years and 57-82% of adolescents aged 15 years report recurrent headaches. […] […] A study performed in Taiwan indicated that approximately 85% of children aged 13-15 years have had headache. According to a large survey by Split et al, 75% of children have suffered headaches in general by age 15 years. […]
  • #1 Pediatric headache: a narrative review
    https://www.e-jyms.org/journal/view.php?number=2740
    Headache is the most common neurological disorder in children, and its lifetime prevalence in the pediatric population is 88%. […] Migraine in children is a disorder that seriously interferes with daily life, including school life, in approximately 8% of children and adolescents in Korea. […] A population-based study indicated that 17% of children in the United States reported frequent or severe headaches in the past year. […] The prevalence of headache in school-age children is similar in boys and girls and increases with age in both sexes. […] In a study conducted in Korea, 29.1% of students experienced recurrent headaches for 1 year, and the incidence increased gradually with age. […] The most common primary headaches are tension-type headaches and migraines, and studies have shown that tension-type headaches have a higher prevalence, although migraines are more painful and result in more frequent hospital visits.
  • #1 Headache and Migraine | 5-Minute Pediatric Consult
    https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/5-Minute-Pediatric-Consult/617196/all/Headache_and_Migraine?q=naproxen
    Headache prevalence can approach 3050% by school age, 6080% by early adolescence, and as high as 8590% by adulthood. […] Tension-type headache is most common type of headache, with migraine second. […] Mean age of onset for migraine is 7 years for boys and 11 years for girls. Migraine precursors such as abdominal migraine, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood can be seen even younger. These may transform into migraines by puberty. […] Overall migraine reported prevalence ranges between 8% and 23%. Suspicion is that migraine prevalence may be as high as 3035% due to underreporting. Prevalence of chronic daily headache in younger children is 24% and 45% in adolescence/adulthood. […] Until puberty, migraines more common in males (5560%), postpuberty in females (75%).
  • #1 Pediatric Headache: Practice Essentials, Background, Etiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2110861-overview
    Migraine […] Starfield screened 2500 children and found that 11% experienced chronic morbidity; among those children, about 20% had headache, with roughly one half of these children having migraine. According to Sillanpaa, migraine prevalence is around 11% at puberty (age 13 y) but increases over time. Lewis et al, in a meta-analysis of over 25,000 persons, found the incidence of migraine to be 2% by ages 3-7 years; 7% by ages 7-11 years; and 20% by ages 11-15 years. The aforementioned survey by Split et al indicated that 4% of children have migraine by the ages of 7 through 15; by age 15 years, 28% have migraine. […] […] Race- and sex-related demographics […] No specific report exists regarding differential incidence of headache by race in children, but migraine frequency in adults in the US declines from whites to African-Americans to Asians. Approximately 60% of all children with migraines before puberty are male. Thereafter, the relationship is inversed, with 3 times more female than male migraineurs in adulthood. Other headache types are distributed more evenly.
  • #1 Annals of Child Neurology
    https://www.annchildneurol.org/m/journal/view.php?number=1372
    Pediatric headache is a common condition that often results in frequent outpatient visits. […] Studies evaluating the prevalence of headache in children have reported substantial variation, with prevalence rates ranging between 8% and 88% in children. […] In a study of American children, 17.1% reported experiencing frequent or severe headaches, including migraines, within the last 12 months. […] The overall estimated prevalence of migraine is around 8% in children, assessed over a period between 6 months and the lifetime. […] Headaches in children can be categorized into primary, where pain is a result of the headache condition itself, and secondary, where pain serves as a symptom of an underlying condition. […] Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most frequently encountered types of primary headaches in children.
  • #1 Annals of Child Neurology
    https://www.annchildneurol.org/m/journal/view.php?number=1372
    The management of migraine focuses on lifestyle modifications, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy for acute episodes and long-term preventive therapy. […] Pediatric headache is a prevalent condition in children, leading to substantial morbidity and frequent healthcare visits. […] The primary culprits are often primary headaches and acute viral infections. […] Migraine is the most significant and common type of headache in children and adolescents.
  • #1 Migraine in Children and Adolescents
    https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2023-may-june/migraine-in-children-and-adolescents
    Migraine is a primary headache disorder affecting up to 7 million children and adolescents in the United States. […] Globally, nearly 60% of children and adolescents experience significant headache, and 7.7% to 9.1% have migraine. […] Migraines affect female children and adolescents disproportionately, and disease prevalence increases over the course of development.
  • #1 Brain to Belly: Abdominal Variants of Migraine and Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders Associated With Migraine
    https://www.jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5056/jnm20290
    Migraine is one of the most frequent causes of primary headache and 9% of children suffer from migraines. […] In the pediatric population, the most recent epidemiological study estimated the prevalence of migraine to be 9.1%, and cross-sectional studies underline a constant increase of incidence of migraine with and without aura. […] Understanding the epidemiology and the prognosis of migraines in children and adolescents is important since the majority will continue to suffer into adulthood. […] The prevalence of AM is generally reported to be around 5% to 9% of the pediatric population but increases in children with a family history of migraine or depression. […] The prevalence of CVS is estimated between 0.3% and 6.1% making it less frequent in the pediatric population than migraine or AM.
  • #1 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9926688/
    The overall prevalence of primary headache in the pediatric population investigated (8-18 years) was 62%. This is consistent with previous prevalence estimates in children (58.4%) yet higher than previously reported in adults (47%). […] The prevalence of TTH was 17%. The findings are in accordance with the prevalence in the global adult population, in which TTH (38%) is significantly more prevalent than migraine (10%). […] The lack of epidemiological studies on the prevalence and incidence of these other primary headaches, demonstrate the need for further studies of less common, though equally disabling, primary headaches in the pediatric population.
  • #1
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00892-6
    In addition, this study reported on headache types and differentiated a prevalence of 24.2% migraine, 21.6% tension type headache (TTH), 3.0% chronic headache on 15 days per month, and undifferentiated headache in 26.1%. […] Restrictions in daily life occurred in 42% of young people with headache and health-related quality of life was reduced in almost all children and adolescents with headache. […] A current cross-sectional study from Spain investigated 1619 students of 12-18 years using an anonymous questionnaire. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 30.5%, with 11.3% of probands showing migraine features; 32.9% of the subjects reported at least one headache episode per week, while 44.1% of them suffered from headache-related disabilities as measured by PedMIDAS. […] A recently study of our group in Germany investigated headache prevalence in pupils aged 6 to 19 years using anonymous questionnaires and concluded that the majority of pupils suffer from headache at least once a month.
  • #1 Pediatric Headache: Practice Essentials, Background, Etiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2110861-overview
    Epidemiology […] Nearly 40% of all Americans have a significant headache at some time in their lives. Headaches are very common during childhood and become increasingly frequent during adolescence. The prevalence of headache, in general, ranges from 37-51% during the elementary-school years and gradually rises to 57-82% by the high-school years. Frequent or severe headaches, including migraines, were reported over a 12-month period in 17% of a national sample of children and adolescents. […] […] The most frequent type of recurrent headache in childhood is migraine; in adolescents, tension headaches are the most common cause of frequent headache. […] […] Throughout the medical literature, estimates of overall frequency of headache in children vary among authors. Secondary headaches are the ones that are most frequently encountered before age 5 years. Migraine headache can occur as early as a few months of age. (A higher prevalence of migraine seems to exist in city dwellers.) Chronic tension-type headache occurs in 0.9% of 15 year-olds. […]
  • #1 The prevalence of headache disorders in children and adolescents in Benin: a schools-based study | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text
    https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-024-01843-x
    The finding for migraine is obviously anomalous. […] The prevalence of migraine almost certainly exceeds 21%. […] Unaffected by this issue, and therefore much more reliable, were the estimates of pMOH prevalence, increasing from 0.5% in children to 1.8% (AOR 4.2) among adolescents. […] This is of concern. […] Headache is very common in children and adolescents in Benin. […] The study sounds an alarm with regard to pMOH as a developing problem pre-adulthood.
  • #1
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00892-6
    Among pupils with headache 2 days a month, 48.1% indicated the intake of analgesics, with ibuprofen (49.1%) and paracetamol (32.8%) being the most frequently used. […] Headache disorders in children and adolescents affect frequently school and social activities and the work performance of the parents. Awareness of early diagnosis and preventive therapies must improve to prevent chronic headaches and its negative impact on performance at school and in the social context.
  • #1 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text
    https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-023-01541-0
    In the global burden of disease (GBD) of 2016, migraine was ranked first among the most disabling diseases in the 1549 age range. […] In children and adolescents, headaches cause a substantial impact on quality of life: limiting social activities, physical activity and school absenteeism, weaker learning outcomes, a higher risk of dropping out of school, and a negative effect on parent’s careers. […] The overall prevalence of primary headache in the pediatric population investigated (818 years) was 62%. This is consistent with previous prevalence estimates in children (58.4%) yet higher than previously reported in adults (47%). […] The epidemiology of primary headaches in the pediatric population continues to gain interest, it should be noted that specific findings of high importance remain overlooked. […] There is a great need for high-quality population-based research reporting the epidemiologic variance of primary headaches in age-specific groups.
  • #1 Pediatric headache: a narrative review
    https://www.e-jyms.org/journal/view.php?number=2740
    The clinical manifestations of primary headaches in childhood differ from those in adults. […] Diagnosis and treatment decisions are often complicated by comorbidities that can coexist with a variety of primary headaches. […] Headache is the second leading neurological cause of emergency room admissions. […] A recent change in headache pattern or a newly developed headache within 3 months may be an important clue to a serious underlying etiology. […] Headaches are accompanied by depression or anxiety in children and adolescents, and are associated with higher rates of suicide attempts. […] In a study conducted in Korea, pediatric headache patients showed higher levels on the somatic symptom, thought problems, attention, and psychosis scales than a control group did. […] Pediatric headaches are common and most often caused by a primary headache disorder or a benign self-limiting cause. […] The treatment of headaches in children is limited compared with that in adults.
  • #1 Migraine in Children: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor
    https://patient.info/doctor/migraine-in-children
    Migraine is the most important cause of headache leading to a decrease in the quality of life in children and adolescents. It is equally common in boys and girls until after the menarche, when it becomes more common in women. Chronic migraine affects 0.8-1.8% of adolescents and 0.6% of children. […] Many children with migraine have a family history of migraine headaches. […] The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that children under 12 who present with headache and one or more 'red flag’ symptoms should be referred immediately for specialist assessment. The aim should be to have them seen within a few hours, or even more quickly if needed, to diagnose or rule out significant intracranial pathology such as a brain tumour. […] Asthma, allergies, motion sickness and seizure disorders are all more common in migraine patients. […] Migraine spontaneously remits after puberty in half of children, but if it begins during adolescence it may be more likely to persist throughout adulthood.
  • #1
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00892-6
    Headaches are not only responsible for restrictions in everyday life in adults. In children and adolescents, regular headaches lead also to reduced life quality and limitations in the social sphere, in school education, and in professional careers. Here, we provide an overview on the frequency of headache in children and adolescents with the aim of increasing awareness about this particular health issue. […] Overall, headache prevalence in children and adolescents has been increasing in recent years. From various regions worldwide, data describing headache, its forms, and consequences are growing. In addition, factors frequently correlated with headache are repeatedly investigated and named: besides genetic factors, psychosocial and behavioral factors are linked to the prevalence of headache.
  • #1 Migraine headache in children – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice
    https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/678
    Migraine is a common neurological disorder that often starts in childhood and teenage years, and leads to significant morbidity, emergency department visits, and school absenteeism. […] The IHS diagnostic criteria for paediatric headache are limited because they rely on patient descriptions of symptoms, whereas in practice, many migraine-defining features (e.g., light or noise intolerance) are inferred from child behaviour rather than reported. […] Family history of migraine, female sex and hormonal changes, poor sleep quality, stress, medication overuse, and periodic syndromes are risk factors for headaches in children.
  • #1
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12098-021-03957-5
    Chronic daily headaches (CDH) is defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3) based on adult research. Pediatric issues including age-/gender-wise prevalence, characteristics, and effects of normal developmental continuum have less been studied. This hospital-based, observational, descriptive study done at a tertiary care center over a period of one year included 240 children (M:F=1:1.7) aged 515 y attending the OPD with CDH. Chronic tension type headache (CTTH – 53%) and chronic migraine (CM – 37%) were most common types with female predominance. Sixty-seven percent patients had bilateral headache. Sixty-three percent had steady pain and 37% had throbbing headache. Seventy percent children had moderate and 25% had severe headache. Precipitating factor was stress in 66% cases of CTTH and 48% cases of CM; sleep deprivation in 11% patients of CTTH and 35% patients of CM, and bright light in 5.26% cases of CTTH and 15% cases of CM. Excessive use of electronic devices was associated with presence of headache in adolescents (10 y) (p0.05). Family history was positive in 13.63%. Mean Ped MIDAS score was 20; 72.63% had mild, 33% had moderate, and 5% children had little or no disability.
  • #1 Headaches in children – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/headaches-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20352099
    Headaches in children are common and usually aren’t serious. Like adults, children can develop different types of headaches, including migraines or stress-related (tension) headaches. Children can also have chronic daily headaches. […] In some cases, headaches in children are caused by an infection, high levels of stress or anxiety, or minor head trauma. It’s important to pay attention to your child’s headache symptoms and consult a doctor if the headache worsens or occurs frequently. […] Headaches in children usually can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and healthy habits such as a regular schedule for sleeping and eating. […] A number of factors can cause your child to develop headaches. Factors include: […] Common illnesses such as colds, flu, and ear and sinus infections are some of the most frequent causes of headaches in children. Very rarely, meningitis or encephalitis may cause headaches.
  • #1 Headaches in children – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/headaches-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20352099
    Stress and anxiety perhaps triggered by problems with peers, teachers or parents can play a role in children’s headaches. […] Any child can develop headaches, but they’re more common in: […] The following may help you prevent headaches or reduce the severity of headaches in children: […] Your doctor may recommend preventive medication if the headaches are severe, occur daily and interfere with your child’s normal lifestyle. Certain medications taken at regular intervals such as certain antidepressants, anti-seizure medications or beta blockers may reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
  • #1 Headache – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache
    Children who have headaches will not necessarily have headaches as adults. In one study of 100 children with headache, eight years later 44% of those with tension headache and 28% of those with migraines were headache free. In another study of people with chronic daily headache, 75% did not have chronic daily headaches two years later, and 88% did not have chronic daily headaches eight years later.
  • #1 Migräne und Kopfschmerzen bei Schulkindern: Epidemiologie und lebensstilbedingte Risikofaktoren – Schmerzklinik Kiel
    https://schmerzklinik.de/en/migraines-and-headaches-in-school-children-epidemiology-and-lifestyle-related-risk-factors/
    Migrne und Kopfschmerzen zhlen weltweit nach Karies zu den an den hufigsten vorkommenden Erkrankungen des Menschen (Steiner et al. 2013). […] Migrne und Kopfschmerzen bei Schlerinnen und Schlern sind bis in die jngste Zeit dagegen jedoch kaum beachtet worden (Ellert et al. 2007). […] Kopfschmerzerkrankungen knnen gravierende Auswirkungen auf die krperliche und psychische Gesundheit haben. […] Kopfschmerzen im Schulalter bedingen ein erhhtes Risiko fr chronische Kopfschmerzverlufe im Erwachsenenalter (Brna et al. 2005). […] Die Prvention von Kopfschmerzen ist daher von entscheidender individueller, gesellschaftlicher und gesundheitskonomischer Bedeutung. […] Um die epidemiologische Ausgangssituation national zu erfassen, wurden daher erstmals deutschlandweit epidemiologische Daten zu Kopfschmerzen bei Schlerinnen und Schler in der 7. Jahrgangsstufe erhoben.
  • #1 Headache in children: Approach to evaluation and general management strategies – UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/headache-in-children-approach-to-evaluation-and-general-management-strategies
    Headache is one of the most common complaints in children and adolescents, one of the top medical and neurologic disorders contributing to the global burden of disease, and a leading cause of disability in adolescents and young adults (ages 10 to 24 years) [1,2]. […] The prevalence of headache increases with age. Children with headache are usually brought to medical attention because they are missing school or social activities or their caregiver is concerned about an ominous etiology, including brain tumor or other serious disease. The first steps in the evaluation are a thorough history, physical examination, and neurologic examination. If any of these are abnormal or raise suspicion of a secondary etiology, then additional evaluation is indicated. […] An overview of the causes, evaluation, and general management of headache in children will be presented here. Emergency evaluation of headache in children, specific primary headache syndromes in children, and headache related to exertion are discussed separately:
  • #1 Headaches in Children and Adolescents | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0215/p625.html
    The role of neuroimaging is controversial. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is indicated in patients with a chronic-progressive headache pattern and those who have abnormal findings in the neurologic examination. […] The prevalence of chronic-nonprogressive (or chronic-daily) headache during adolescence is 0.2 to 0.9 percent. No specific diagnostic criteria have been established, although ongoing studies in children define chronic-nonprogressive headaches as those lasting four or more hours and occurring 15 or more times a month for a period of four or more months. Many adolescents have continuous, unremitting daily headache.
  • #1 Headache – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache
    Just as in adults, most headaches are benign, but when head pain is accompanied with other symptoms such as speech problems, muscle weakness, and loss of vision, a more serious underlying cause may exist: hydrocephalus, meningitis, encephalitis, abscess, hemorrhage, tumor, blood clots, or head trauma. In these cases, the headache evaluation may include CT scan or MRI in order to look for possible structural disorders of the central nervous system. […] Guidelines state children with abnormal neurologic exams, confusion, seizures and recent onset of worst headache of life, change in headache type or anything suggesting neurologic problems should receive neuroimaging. […] Some measures can help prevent headaches in children. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding caffeine, getting enough and regular sleep, eating balanced meals at the proper times, and reducing stress and excess of activities may prevent headaches. Treatments for children are similar to those for adults, however certain medications such as narcotics should not be given to children.
  • #1 Treatment Patterns for and Characteristics of Headache in Children and Adolescents Aged 6–17 Years in Japan: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of Health Insurance Claims Data
    https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/1/96
    Of 543,628 patients aged 6–17 years in the 2020 REZULT database, 62,568 (11.51%) were diagnosed with headaches via the health insurance system. Furthermore, 1524 of 62,568 (2.44%) patients aged 6–17 years received at least one prescription for acute medication in 2020. […] A study conducted in a Japanese city with 40,000 residents revealed that the prevalence rates of headaches, migraines, and MOHs in children and adolescents were 36.44%, 9.48%, and 0.44%, respectively. […] The global prevalence of MOH among children and adolescents appears to be <1%. The prevalence is 0.2% in Ethiopia, 0.7% in Lithuania and Mongolia, 0.8–1.2% in Zambia, 0.9% in Turkey, 1.1% in Iran, and 0.44% in Japan. [...] Our study revealed that medical providers may cause MOH in patients by overprescribing a combination of NSAIDs or triptans. In particular, patients aged 15 years and older are seen in general practice rather than in pediatrics in Japan; therefore, medically induced MOH may be created in the same way as in adults. [...] We hope that medications such as CGRP-related agents will become available for use in children in the future.
  • #1
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00892-6
    Increasing evidence indicates that headache is underestimated as a common disorder in children and adolescents. Accordingly, too little emphasis is placed by society on its prevention and treatment. Thus, the extent of the social and health economic burden of frequent headaches in children and adolescents needs to be better illustrated, worldwide. […] Population-based studies in the European Union (EU) have shown an overall 1-year prevalence of 79% for headache disorders. Headache disorders are ranked as the second most common cause of years of life spent with disability worldwide. […] Headaches are the most common type of pain in children and young people with effects on health-related quality of life (HrQoL), school attendance, social functioning. […] Until today, the consequences of frequent headaches in children are poorly characterized and early detection and treatment of young headache patients is too rare.
  • #2 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9926688/
    Headache is the most prevalent neurological manifestation in adults and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In children and adolescents, headaches are arguably responsible for a remarkable impact on physical and psychological issues, yet high-quality evidence is scarce. […] We found an overall remarkably high prevalence of primary headaches in children and adolescents, even if flawed by a high degree of heterogeneity. Further up-to-date studies are warranted to complete the picture of pediatric headache-related burden to enhance specific public interventions. […] Primary headaches, including migraine, are common neurological disorders that represent one of the most prevalent and disabling, although underdiagnosed and undertreated, forms of pain in childhood and adolescence. Comprehensive epidemiological studies on prevalence and incidence of primary headaches in developmental age are lacking and frequently heterogeneous, due to population studies characteristics, such as age range, sex, social and economic background, the various methodologies used (e.g., school-based questionnaires, clinician interviews, phone surveys) and the different diagnostic criteria applied, sometimes not specific to developmental age.
  • #2 Pediatric Headache: Practice Essentials, Background, Etiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2110861-overview
    In a widely cited study, Bille analyzed a questionnaire of 8993 children aged 7-15 years in the city of Uppsala in Sweden and found that 59% had suffered headache at some time in their life. In a systematic questionnaire of 2941 children, Sillanpaa found the prevalence of headache to be 37% at age 7 years, increasing to 69% by 14 years; migraine accounted for 2.7% and 10.6% of these headaches, respectively. […] […] A meta-analysis found that the prevalence of headache in general was approximately 60% by age 7. Other studies have shown that up to 51% of children aged 7 years and 57-82% of adolescents aged 15 years report recurrent headaches. […] […] A study performed in Taiwan indicated that approximately 85% of children aged 13-15 years have had headache. According to a large survey by Split et al, 75% of children have suffered headaches in general by age 15 years. […]
  • #2 Pediatric headache: a narrative review
    https://www.e-jyms.org/journal/view.php?number=2740
    Headache is the most common neurological disorder in children, and its lifetime prevalence in the pediatric population is 88%. […] Migraine in children is a disorder that seriously interferes with daily life, including school life, in approximately 8% of children and adolescents in Korea. […] A population-based study indicated that 17% of children in the United States reported frequent or severe headaches in the past year. […] The prevalence of headache in school-age children is similar in boys and girls and increases with age in both sexes. […] In a study conducted in Korea, 29.1% of students experienced recurrent headaches for 1 year, and the incidence increased gradually with age. […] The most common primary headaches are tension-type headaches and migraines, and studies have shown that tension-type headaches have a higher prevalence, although migraines are more painful and result in more frequent hospital visits.
  • #2 Pediatric Headache: Practice Essentials, Background, Etiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2110861-overview
    Migraine […] Starfield screened 2500 children and found that 11% experienced chronic morbidity; among those children, about 20% had headache, with roughly one half of these children having migraine. According to Sillanpaa, migraine prevalence is around 11% at puberty (age 13 y) but increases over time. Lewis et al, in a meta-analysis of over 25,000 persons, found the incidence of migraine to be 2% by ages 3-7 years; 7% by ages 7-11 years; and 20% by ages 11-15 years. The aforementioned survey by Split et al indicated that 4% of children have migraine by the ages of 7 through 15; by age 15 years, 28% have migraine. […] […] Race- and sex-related demographics […] No specific report exists regarding differential incidence of headache by race in children, but migraine frequency in adults in the US declines from whites to African-Americans to Asians. Approximately 60% of all children with migraines before puberty are male. Thereafter, the relationship is inversed, with 3 times more female than male migraineurs in adulthood. Other headache types are distributed more evenly.
  • #2
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-020-00892-6
    In addition, this study reported on headache types and differentiated a prevalence of 24.2% migraine, 21.6% tension type headache (TTH), 3.0% chronic headache on 15 days per month, and undifferentiated headache in 26.1%. […] Restrictions in daily life occurred in 42% of young people with headache and health-related quality of life was reduced in almost all children and adolescents with headache. […] A current cross-sectional study from Spain investigated 1619 students of 12-18 years using an anonymous questionnaire. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 30.5%, with 11.3% of probands showing migraine features; 32.9% of the subjects reported at least one headache episode per week, while 44.1% of them suffered from headache-related disabilities as measured by PedMIDAS. […] A recently study of our group in Germany investigated headache prevalence in pupils aged 6 to 19 years using anonymous questionnaires and concluded that the majority of pupils suffer from headache at least once a month.
  • #2 Pediatric headache: a narrative review
    https://www.e-jyms.org/journal/view.php?number=2740
    The clinical manifestations of primary headaches in childhood differ from those in adults. […] Diagnosis and treatment decisions are often complicated by comorbidities that can coexist with a variety of primary headaches. […] Headache is the second leading neurological cause of emergency room admissions. […] A recent change in headache pattern or a newly developed headache within 3 months may be an important clue to a serious underlying etiology. […] Headaches are accompanied by depression or anxiety in children and adolescents, and are associated with higher rates of suicide attempts. […] In a study conducted in Korea, pediatric headache patients showed higher levels on the somatic symptom, thought problems, attention, and psychosis scales than a control group did. […] Pediatric headaches are common and most often caused by a primary headache disorder or a benign self-limiting cause. […] The treatment of headaches in children is limited compared with that in adults.
  • #2
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12098-021-03957-5
    Chronic daily headaches (CDH) is defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3) based on adult research. Pediatric issues including age-/gender-wise prevalence, characteristics, and effects of normal developmental continuum have less been studied. This hospital-based, observational, descriptive study done at a tertiary care center over a period of one year included 240 children (M:F=1:1.7) aged 515 y attending the OPD with CDH. Chronic tension type headache (CTTH – 53%) and chronic migraine (CM – 37%) were most common types with female predominance. Sixty-seven percent patients had bilateral headache. Sixty-three percent had steady pain and 37% had throbbing headache. Seventy percent children had moderate and 25% had severe headache. Precipitating factor was stress in 66% cases of CTTH and 48% cases of CM; sleep deprivation in 11% patients of CTTH and 35% patients of CM, and bright light in 5.26% cases of CTTH and 15% cases of CM. Excessive use of electronic devices was associated with presence of headache in adolescents (10 y) (p0.05). Family history was positive in 13.63%. Mean Ped MIDAS score was 20; 72.63% had mild, 33% had moderate, and 5% children had little or no disability.
  • #2 Headache – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache
    Children who have headaches will not necessarily have headaches as adults. In one study of 100 children with headache, eight years later 44% of those with tension headache and 28% of those with migraines were headache free. In another study of people with chronic daily headache, 75% did not have chronic daily headaches two years later, and 88% did not have chronic daily headaches eight years later.
  • #2 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis | The Journal of Headache and Pain | Full Text
    https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-023-01541-0
    In the global burden of disease (GBD) of 2016, migraine was ranked first among the most disabling diseases in the 1549 age range. […] In children and adolescents, headaches cause a substantial impact on quality of life: limiting social activities, physical activity and school absenteeism, weaker learning outcomes, a higher risk of dropping out of school, and a negative effect on parent’s careers. […] The overall prevalence of primary headache in the pediatric population investigated (818 years) was 62%. This is consistent with previous prevalence estimates in children (58.4%) yet higher than previously reported in adults (47%). […] The epidemiology of primary headaches in the pediatric population continues to gain interest, it should be noted that specific findings of high importance remain overlooked. […] There is a great need for high-quality population-based research reporting the epidemiologic variance of primary headaches in age-specific groups.
  • #3 Primary headache epidemiology in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9926688/
    Headache is the most prevalent neurological manifestation in adults and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In children and adolescents, headaches are arguably responsible for a remarkable impact on physical and psychological issues, yet high-quality evidence is scarce. […] We found an overall remarkably high prevalence of primary headaches in children and adolescents, even if flawed by a high degree of heterogeneity. Further up-to-date studies are warranted to complete the picture of pediatric headache-related burden to enhance specific public interventions. […] Primary headaches, including migraine, are common neurological disorders that represent one of the most prevalent and disabling, although underdiagnosed and undertreated, forms of pain in childhood and adolescence. Comprehensive epidemiological studies on prevalence and incidence of primary headaches in developmental age are lacking and frequently heterogeneous, due to population studies characteristics, such as age range, sex, social and economic background, the various methodologies used (e.g., school-based questionnaires, clinician interviews, phone surveys) and the different diagnostic criteria applied, sometimes not specific to developmental age.