A guide to children with acute and chronic headaches.
Children with acute and chronic headaches are often seen by primary care providers. A complete, elaborate history, obtained from both the parents and child, is key in diagnosing and managing the child who presents with a headache. A thorough social and educational history may reveal significant school or family stresses. Historic features of concern must be explored immediately. A thorough physical examination with a focused neurologic examination must be done Focal neurologic findings may indicate serious organic problems. A comprehensive approach to the management of headaches in children consisting of reassurance, education, pharmacologic interventions, and nonpharmacologic interventions is presented. A two-tiered management plan is used in conjunction with medications. The aim of this article is to provide the novice or experienced practitioner with a comprehensive review of acute and chronic headache pathogenesis, assessment, and management. This review includes migraines and other nonmigraine types of headaches.
Rosenblum
R K
RK
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305-5235, USA. ruthrose@stanford.edu
Fisher
P G
PG
D000208:Acute Disease; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male