Headaches in children

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Headaches in children are common and are usually not 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. That's why it's important to pay attention to your child's headache symptoms and to consult a doctor if the headache worsens or occurs frequently. Headaches in children can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain medications and other lifestyle and home measures.

Symptoms
References
  1. Bronthius DJ, et al. Approach to the child with headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  2. Cummings E, et al. Evaluation and management of headache in the pediatric patient. Emergency Medicine. 2009;41:36.
  3. Abu-Arafeh I, et al. Prevalence of headache and migraine in children and adolescents: A systematic review of population-based studies. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2010;52:1088.
  4. Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  5. Cruse RP. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of migraine in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  6. Monteith TS, et al. Tension type headache in adolescence and childhood: Where are we now? Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2010;14:424.
  7. Cruse RP. Tension-type headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  8. Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents: Report of the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2004;63:2215.
  9. Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Evaluation of children and adolescents with recurrent headaches: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2002;59:490.
  10. Headaches in children. American Headache Society. http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/HeadachesinChildren.asp. Accessed Jan. 4, 2011.
  11. Anttila P. Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:268.
  12. Mahoney KR (expert opinion). Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. Jan. 10, 2011
  13. Internal analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use: Tentative final monograph. Federal Register.1988;53:46204.
  14. Mack KJ. An approach to children with chronic daily headache. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2006;48:997.
DS01132 March 3, 2011

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