Headache and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children: common condition with complex relation and disabling consequences.
The aim of this review was to analyze literature data on the complex association between headache and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, in order to explore its possible consequences on child neurological development. Headache and ADHD are two common conditions in the pediatric population. They both are disabling diseases that impact the child's quality of life and are associated with severe cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments. To assess and analyze literature data about the association of ADHD and headache in children and possible physiopathogenesis relationships, we searched for the following terms: headache, migraine, tension-type headache, ADHD, and children (MESH or text words). We found different studies that assess the clinical, epidemiological, and physiopathogenetic overlap between these two diseases, with contrasting results and unresolved questions. Structural and functional abnormalities in brain networks have been found to be central in both headache and ADHD pathophysiology. It will be crucial to gain a better understanding of how subcortical-cortical and corticocortical network development is altered during the onset of the disorders.
Child Neurology, Headache Paediatric Center, Paediatric Sleep Disorders, NESMOS Department, Chair of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, c/o Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: pasquale.parisi@uniroma1.it.
Pasquale
P
Parisi
Pediatric Department University of Perugia, Italy.
Alberto
A
Verrotti
Child Neurology, Headache Paediatric Center, Paediatric Sleep Disorders, NESMOS Department, Chair of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, c/o Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Maria Chiara
MC
Paolino
Child Neurology, Headache Paediatric Center, Paediatric Sleep Disorders, NESMOS Department, Chair of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, c/o Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Ferretti
Paediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Umberto
U
Raucci
Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Romina
R
Moavero
Child Neurology, Headache Paediatric Center, Paediatric Sleep Disorders, NESMOS Department, Chair of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, c/o Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Maria Pia
MP
Villa
Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Paolo
P
Curatolo
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D010372:Pediatrics; D011788:Quality of Life
ADHD; Comorbidity; Headache; Hyperactivity; Inattention; Migraine; Overlap