Pediatric Post‐Traumatic Headache and Implications for Return to Sport: A Narrative Review

Longitudinal trajectories of posttraumatic headache after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

This prospective, longitudinal cohort study examined the trajectory, classification, and features of posttraumatic headache after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

Children (N = 213; ages 8.00 to 16.99 years) were recruited from two pediatric emergency departments <24 hours of sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury or mild orthopedic injury. At 10 days, three months, and six months postinjury, parents completed a standardized questionnaire that was used to classify premorbid and posttraumatic headache as migraine, tension-type headache, or not otherwise classified. Multilevel mixed effects models were used to examine posttraumatic headache rate, severity, frequency, and duration in relation to group, time postinjury, and premorbid headache, controlling for age, sex, and site.

RESULTS

PTH risk was greater after mild traumatic brain injury than mild orthopedic injury at 10 days (odds ratio = 197.41, p < .001) and three months postinjury (odds ratio = 3.50, p = .030), especially in children without premorbid headache. Posttraumatic headache was more frequent after mild traumatic brain injury than mild orthopedic injury, β (95% confidence interval) = 0.80 (0.05, 1.55). Groups did not differ in other examined headache features and classification any time postinjury.

CONCLUSIONS

Posttraumatic headache risk increases after mild traumatic brain injury relative to mild orthopedic injury for approximately three months postinjury, but is not clearly associated with a distinct phenotype.

Post-Traumatic Headache in Children after Minor Head Trauma: Incidence, Phenotypes, and Risk Factors

Minor head trauma (MHT) is very frequent in children and post-traumatic headache (PTH) is one of its most common complications; however, its management is still a challenge. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of, and risk factors for, PTH among children referred to our pediatric emergency department (PED) for MHT. A total of 193 patients aged 3–14 years evaluated for MTH were enrolled and followed up for 6 months through phone calls and/or visits. PTH occurred in 25/193 patients (13%). PTH prevalence was significantly higher in school-aged (≥6 years) than in pre-school-aged children (21.6% vs. 4.9%, respectively, p < 0.009). Females were found to be more affected. The median time of onset was 4.6 days after MHT; resolution occurred in a median of 7 weeks. In 83.3% of patients, PTH subsided in <3 months, while in 16.7% it persisted longer. A total of 25% of children exhibited the migraine and 75% the tension-type variant. Our analysis indicates the presence of headache upon arrival in PED, isolated or associated with nausea and dizziness, as a factor predisposing the patient to the development of PTH. Our findings could be useful to identify children at risk for PTH for specific follow-up, family counseling, and treatment.

Sports- and Physical Activity-Related Concussions, Binge Drinking and Marijuana Use among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Depression and Suicidal Ideation

BACKGROUND

Although past studies have examined the adverse impact of sports- and physical activity-related concussions (SPACs) on health and mental health outcomes, there is a dearth of research investigating the association between SPACs and binge drinking and marijuana use.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to examine the cross-sectional association between SPACs and binge drinking and marijuana use among adolescents and whether symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation mediate this association.

METHODS

Data for this study came from the 2017 and 2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 17,175 adolescents aged 14-18 years (50.2% male) was analyzed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 17,175 adolescents, 13.7% engaged in binge drinking and 19.3% used marijuana 30 days preceding the survey date. Approximately one in seven (14.1%) adolescents had SPACs during the past year. Upon controlling for the effects of other factors, adolescents who had SPACs had 1.74 times higher odds of engaging in binge drinking (AOR = 1.74, p<.001, 95% CI = 1.47-2.06) and 1.42 times higher odds of using marijuana (AOR = 1.42, p<.001, 95% CI = 1.24-1.62) than those who did not have SPACs. Symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation explained 12% of the association between SPACs and binge drinking, and 19% of the association between SPACs and marijuana use.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the association between SPACs and substance use and mental health could contribute to early identification of adolescents who may engage in substance use.

Post-traumatic Headache in Children and Adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Post-traumatic headache is a common disorder in the pediatric age group, seen both by child neurologists and by non-neurologists. The current review of post-traumatic headache in children and adolescents aims to review the pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical features, neuroimaging, and both acute and preventive treatment options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature provides insight into specific risk factors in the pediatric age group for developing post-traumatic headache as well as unique pathophysiologic changes seen in neuroimaging and neurometabolic pathways. It also elucidates common treatment options and novel treatments being currently explored, such as with monoclonal antibodies to CGRP. Finally, current evidence and guidelines recommend the benefit of a gradual return to normal activity based on symptom stability rather than a specific time period. Review of literature on pediatric post-traumatic headache reveals a growing understanding of the factors involved in developing headache after head trauma and the diagnosis/treatment of headache though future research will help further elucidate these areas.