Hypnic headache in children.
BACKGROUND
Hypnic headache (HH) is a rare, short-lasting headache occurring exclusively during sleep and usually affecting the elderly population. According to the ICHD-II diagnostic criteria, HH is characterized exclusively by sleep-related dull headache attacks, either lateralized or bilateral, a recurrence of >15 times per month and a persistence of pain >15 minutes after waking. No autonomic symptoms and no more than nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia are present.


METHODS
We report three children between 7 and 11 years old with HH features. The characteristics of our patient's headache, with particular reference to the nocturnal pattern, the short duration and the absence of autonomic symptoms, lead us to consider the diagnosis of HH.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the very few cases of HH reported in paediatric age, our cases may expand the clinical spectrum of this disorder, suggesting a possible revision of the diagnostic criteria, with particular regard to the developmental age.
University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Caterina
C
Cerminara
Eliana
E
Compagnone
Antonella
A
Coniglio
Milena
M
Margiotta
Paolo
P
Curatolo
Maria Pia
MP
Villa
Pasquale
P
Parisi
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D008550:Melatonin