Pediatric headache: update on recent research

The prevalence and impact of tension-type headache in school-aged children in Iran

Background

Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is regarded as the third most prevalent disorder worldwide, prompting children to seek medical attention. Our objective is to investigate the prevalence of TTH among students aged 6 to 18 years in various geographical regions of Iran, while also assessing the impact of headaches on their quality of life.

Methods

Employing a cross-sectional survey, we have carefully distributed self-completed structured questionnaires to students in 121 meticulously selected schools throughout the country, ensuring the representation of its diverse population.

Results

Among the 2,958 potential participants, we have included a total of 2031 individuals in our study. This comprises 57.3% children and 42.7% adolescents, with 50.02% being males and 49.97% females. Specifically, we have examined 950 subjects with TTH and 1,081 individuals without any form of headache. TTH was diagnosed in 32.1% of the participants. Notably, we have observed a significant difference in the average age between the TTH subjects and those without headaches. Participants without headaches were more likely to be enrolled in primary schools, while those diagnosed with TTH predominantly attended high schools. We found no significant relationship between urban-rural areas or different geographic regions and the prevalence of TTH or its subtypes. Phonophobia was commonly associated with TTHs. Lastly, the mean quality-of-life score was highest for individuals without headaches, followed by those with low frequency episodic TTH, high frequency episodic TTH, and chronic TTHs. There was also a significant relation between headache severity and quality of life scores.

Conclusion

The significant prevalence of TTH in children and adolescents and its adverse impact on the daily activities of individuals underscore the utmost importance of accurate diagnosis and efficient management.

Hippocampal volume changes across developmental periods in female migraineurs

Brain-related plasticity can occur at a significant rate varying on the developmental period. Adolescence in particular has been identified as a period of growth and change across the structure and function of the nervous system. Notably, research has identified migraines as common in both pediatric and adult populations, but evidence suggests that the phenotype for migraines may differ in these cohorts due to the unique needs of each developmental period. Accordingly, primary aims of this study were to define hippocampal structure in females (7-27 years of age) with and without migraine, and to determine whether this differs across developmental stages (i.e., childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood). Hippocampal volume was quantified based on high-resolution structural MRI using FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool. Results indicated that migraine and age may have an interactional relationship with hippocampal volume, such that, while hippocampal volumes were lower in female migraineurs (compared to age-matched controls) during childhood and adolescence, this contrast differed during young adulthood whereby hippocampal volumes were higher in migraineurs (compared to age-matched controls). Subsequent vertex analysis localized this interaction effect in hippocampal volume to displacement of the anterior hippocampus. The transition of hippocampal volume during adolescent development in migraineurs suggests that hippocampal plasticity may dynamically reflect components of migraine that change over the lifespan, exerting possible altered responsivity to stress related to migraine attacks thus having physiological expression and psychosocial impact.

Description of recurrent headaches in 7-14-year-old children: Baseline data from a randomized clinical trial on effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation in children with recurrent headaches

BACKGROUND

Headaches in children are poorly described and diagnosing can be challenging. Objectives are: (1) to describe headache characteristics and child characteristics, (2) to explore whether data can suggest a more diverse way to categorize headaches than traditionally.

METHODS

Baseline data for a clinical trial included a questionnaire and a physical screening. Children's characteristics and detailed description of headache symptoms were provided. Children were classified for migraine or tension-type-headache based on questionnaire data reported by children and parents. This required to apply slightly modified classification criteria and a "non-classifiable" group was added. Severity and symptoms, related to the migraine versus tension type distinction, were investigated to define a migraine-tension-type-index.

RESULTS

253 children were included. Mean pain intensity was 5.9/10. Over 2/3 of the children had headache for > 1 year, and > 50% for several days/week. Half of the children were non-classifiable, 22% were classified as migraine and 23% as tension-type headache. A migraine-tension-type-index was constructed and describes a continuous spectrum rather than two distinct groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with recurrent headaches are often severely affected. A questionnaire-based classification appeared feasible to distinguish between migraine and tension-type headaches in children but leaving many children unclassified. A migraine-tension-type-index can be generated allowing to regard the traditional distinction as a continuum (including mixed headache), and potentially serving as an instrument to improve headache management. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02684916.

Tools for Evaluating the Quality of Life of the Paediatric Population with Primary Headaches-A Review of Selected Questionnaires

Primary headaches are a common health issue in the paediatric population. These conditions have a negative impact on the quality of life of patients at the development age in every area of their lives. The aim of this study is to list the tools used to evaluate the quality of life of the paediatric population with primary headaches and to discuss their advantages and limitations. Examining the quality of life of children and adolescents suffering from primary headaches is of particular importance. This is a consequence of a high disease incidence rate and a considerable negative impact of the ailment on the everyday life of this population. It is very important to conduct such examinations with specific and validated tools. It is significant because of the particular features of the areas of patients' lives at the developmental age. Each of the available questionnaires has specific characteristics, advantages and limitations. The data accumulated in this literature review can be of help in designing research on the quality of life of children and adolescents suffering from primary headaches.

Reassessment of Pediatric Tension-Type Headaches

A retrospective multicenter chart review was conducted with the objective of evaluating the hypothesis that certain cases diagnosed as tension-type headache (TTH) in pediatric neurology are not stress-related or central sensitization-related conditions but may mimic an autoimmune disorder of the dura mater. Of the 29,642 patient charts reviewed, 12,424 charts (42%) were excluded because of incomplete data and 17,218 cases were analyzed. For all the 29,642 charts, TTH or chronic daily headaches were diagnosed in 29.2% of cases. Among the 17,218 cases subjected to detailed diagnostic procedures, TTH was diagnosed in only 5%. In 7,044 cases, the initial diagnosis of TTH was changed to headache attributed to infection (87.4%), which was supported by the presence of meningeal signs, high antistreptolysin-O titers, and, in 46% of cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected thickening of the cranial dura mater. The initial diagnosis of migraine was confirmed in 87.7% of cases (8,034/9,162). In some cases of treatment-resistant pediatric recurrent headaches, which are initially diagnosed as TTH, a secondary type of headache may be suspected as the underlying cause. Usually this type of headache has streptococcal infection-related laboratory findings, the meninges as the site of the lesion, and meningism as the clinical presentation.

Dihydroergotamine infusion for pediatric refractory headache: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Headaches are a common symptom in children. Children with refractory headaches may be admitted for inpatient treatment with intravenous dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE). However, very few studies have characterized these patients and their treatment outcomes using validated, self-reported, pain scales.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe demographic and clinical characteristics of children admitted for DHE infusion, determine DHE treatment outcomes by means of numeric pain scale ratings, and explore associations between treatment outcomes and clinical characteristics.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was completed in patients ages 5-21 admitted for DHE infusion from January 2013 to July 2018 at a large, pediatric academic medical center and community-based satellite center. All primary headache types were included.

RESULTS

A total of 200 unique admissions for DHE were available for analysis. Overall, patients were predominantly White (87.5%, 175/200) and female (80.0%, 160/200) with an average age of 15.4 years (SD 2.3). Common comorbidities included obesity (42.0%, 81/193), anxiety (41.0%, 82/200), and depression (20.0%, 40/200). The mean length of stay was 2.4 days (SD 1.10; range 1-8 days). Most headaches (65.0%, 130/200) met the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria for migraine, followed by new daily persistent headache (25.5%, 51/200). Mean DHE maximum dose was 5.3 (SD 2.17; range 0.5-14.5 mg) with most patients requiring 3.5-6.5 mg. DHE was typically terminated at six doses (range 1-15). The most frequently reported adverse event was nausea (5.5%, 11/200). There was no difference in pain severity at admission across headache types, with an average baseline pain score of 8.1 (SD 1.6). Posttreatment reduction in pain score was statistically significant (range: -3.2 to -4.9; each p < 0.001) across all headache types. Overall, 84.0% (168/200) of the patients had some improvement in pain. More than half of the patients (53.5%, 107/200) showed at least moderate improvement (≥50.0% reduction in pain score), and 18.0% (36/200) had full headache resolution. Limited patients (16.0%, 32/200) experienced no improvement in pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with DHE resulted in at least some improvement for most patients regardless of headache type or number of doses. Clinical trials stratified by headache type and comorbid factors could help clarify treatment algorithms to optimize patient outcomes.

Effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation versus sham manipulation for recurrent headaches in children aged 7-14 years - a randomised clinical trial

Background

To investigate the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation versus sham manipulation in children aged 7–14 with recurrent headaches.

Methods

Design: A two-arm, single-blind, superiority randomised controlled trial.

Setting: One chiropractic clinic and one paediatric specialty practice in Denmark, November 2015 to August 2020.

Participants: 199 children aged 7 to 14 years, with at least one episode of headache per week for the previous 6 months and at least one musculoskeletal dysfunction identified.

Interventions: All participants received standard oral and written advice to reduce headaches. In addition, children in the active treatment group received chiropractic spinal manipulation and children in the control group received sham manipulation for a period of 4 months. Number and frequency of treatments were based on the chiropractor’s individual evaluation in the active treatment group; the children in the control group received approximately eight visits during the treatment period.

Primary outcome measures: ‘Number of days with headache’, ‘pain intensity’ and ‘medication’ were reported weekly by text messages, and global perceived effect by text message after 4 months. A planned fixed sequence strategy based on an initial outcome data analysis was used to prioritize outcomes. ‘Number of days with headache’ and ‘pain intensity’ were chosen as equally important outcomes of highest priority, followed by global perceived effect and medication. The significance level for the first two outcomes was fixed to 0.025 to take multiplicity into account.

Results

Chiropractic spinal manipulation resulted in significantly fewer days with headaches (reduction of 0.81 vs. 0.41, p = 0.019, NNT = 7 for 20% improvement) and better global perceived effect (dichotomized into improved/not improved, OR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.5–5.3), NNT = 5) compared with a sham manipulation procedure. There was no difference between groups for pain intensity during headache episodes. Due to methodological shortcomings, no conclusions could be drawn about medication use.

Conclusions

Chiropractic spinal manipulation resulted in fewer headaches and higher global perceived effect, with only minor side effects. It did not lower the intensity of the headaches.

Since the treatment is easily applicable, of low cost and minor side effects, chiropractic spinal manipulation might be considered as a valuable treatment option for children with recurrent headaches.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02684916, registered 02/18/2016 – retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12998-020-00360-3.

The Impact of Parental Migraine on Children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review surveys our current understanding of the impact of parental migraine on children. Understanding the impact of migraine on others in a family unit is critical to describing the full burden of migraine and to developing psychosocial supportive interventions for patients and their families.

RECENT FINDINGS

Having a parent with migraine is associated with several early developmental features including infant colic. Adolescent children of parents with migraine self-report their parent's migraine interferes with school and activities and events. Further, migraine is perceived to impact the relationship between the parent and child. Having a parent with migraine increases a child's risk of having migraine, and having more severe migraine disease. However, children with migraine whose parent also has migraine appear to receive more early and aggressive treatment. The impact of migraine extends beyond the parent with migraine and influences children across biological, psychological, and social domains.

Primary headaches in children and adolescents - experiences at a single headache center in Korea

Background

Headache is a common complaint in children and adolescents. Recently, an increased prevalence of headache in children and adolescents has been reported.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children and adolescents attending the Headache Clinic of Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital during the period from January 2005 through December 2016.

Results

The study population consisted of 2466 children, aged between 3 and 18 years (mean age: 10.9). Our study showed an increase in the number of patients visiting the hospital with headaches during the past decade. Compared with 2005, the number of patients with headache increased three-fold in 2016. Interestingly, the proportion of boys, preschool children, and other primary headaches revealed a steady and statistically significant increase.

Conclusion

Due to a steady increase in pediatric headaches, the earlier the problem is recognized and properly diagnosed and a treatment plan is established, the greater the likelihood of a better lifelong outcome. Studies are needed to estimate recent trend in prevalence and to identify the demographic and socioeconomic factors predicting the occurrence of headache.

Age- and sex-related differences in the presentation of paediatric migraine: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction Although migraine is a common headache complaint in children and adolescents there remains a significant gap in understanding the unique aspects of the disease in these age groups and their evolution with development. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to identify migraine features that are influenced by age and sex. Methods The headache characteristics of 359 paediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of migraine from a tertiary paediatric headache clinic were assessed. Patients retrospectively reported headache characteristics during a structured intake interview and clinical exam. Headache characteristics, description and associated symptoms were compared between children (age ≤ 12 years) and adolescents (age > 12 years), and between male and female migraineurs. Results Several migraine features differed significantly with age and/or sex, including: (i) a marked change from a 1:1 sex ratio in children to a 2:1 predominance of girls in adolescents; (ii) a higher frequency of headache attacks per month in adolescents and female migraineurs; (iii) a higher proportion of adolescents endorsed a 'throbbing' pain quality; (iv) a higher proportion of children reporting nausea and vomiting; and (v) a higher proportion of adolescents, particularly female migraineurs, had a diagnosis of a co-morbid anxiety. Conclusion The presentation of migraine, both in terms of its headache characteristics and associated symptoms, appear to vary as a function of age and sex. Given that migraine symptoms have a neural basis, it is not surprising that during the key period of neurodevelopment from childhood to adolescence this may impact their presentation.

Outcome and Cost of Inpatient Hospitalization for Intravenous Dihydroergotamine Treatment of Refractory Pediatric Headache

BACKGROUND

To determine the cost and efficacy of admitting patients for intravenous dihydroergotamine treatment and to identify factors associated with a higher likelihood of response to treatment.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all pediatric hospitalizations from 2001 to 2010 for intravenous dihydroergotamine therapy for headache. Data were collected using the REDcap database and consisted of multiple variables, including preadmission demographics, headache duration, use of prophylactic medications, inpatient therapies including dihydroergotamine dosing, procedures, consultations, total hospital cost, and headache severity at discharge and at follow-up.

RESULTS

Seventy-four percent of the 145 individuals who were hospitalized were female. Mean age was 14.9 years. Headache was described as chronic or daily in almost all patients and 28 (19%) had status migrainosus. Sixty-six percent had a first-degree relative with migraine. The average length of stay was 3.7 days, and the average cost was $7569 per hospitalization. Patients received an average of eight doses of dihydroergotamine. At the time of discharge, 63% of patients reported improvement. Follow-up information was available for 68% of the cohort at a median of 42 days after discharge, and 21 of 99 patients (21%) experienced sustained relief of headache. Response to dihydroergotamine was correlated with a lower rate of comorbid diagnoses, lumbar puncture, and outpatient neuroimaging. Response also correlated to less expensive hospitalizations with an average cost of $5379 per hospitalization versus $7105 per hospitalization without positive response. Response was also correlated with a patient receiving more doses of intravenous dihydroergotamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Although intravenous dihydroergotamine is an effective abortive medication for intractable migraine, it may provide only short-term headache relief in many pediatric patients. Hospitalization is relatively costly with only modest long-term benefit, especially in patients with chronic migraine or chronic daily headache.

Factors Associated with Favorable Outcome of Topiramate Migraine Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are few studies that have investigated predictive factors related to migraine prophylaxis of which produced inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to identify factors that can predict the treatment response to topiramate prophylaxis in pediatric patients with migraine.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen patients who were older than 7 years and received topiramate for at least 3 months were recruited from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital outpatient clinic from 2005 to 2014. A positive response was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in the number of migraine episodes after topiramate treatment. Proposed predictive factors such as migraine characteristics including severity and frequency were assessed, as were other data on sex, disease duration, associated symptoms, family history, and impairment of daily activities.

RESULTS

Seventy patients (61.9%) responded to prophylactic treatment with topiramate. Patients who experienced significant impairment in daily activities showed significant benefit from the treatment (p=0.004). Sex, the severity, frequency, and duration of migraine episodes, disease duration, treatment duration, age at onset, and associated symptoms were not significantly related to a response to topiramate treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine characteristics and associated symptoms were not significantly related to a response to topiramate treatment. However, patients with significant impairment in daily activities showed significant benefit from the treatment, and so prophylactic topiramate treatment should be strongly encouraged in this patient group.

Behavioral Treatment for Headaches in Children: A Practical Guide for the Child Psychologist

Headache is a highly prevalent condition and is the leading cause for school absences. Despite the rich literature supporting behavioral treatments for headache, many child psychologists mistakenly perceive that they lack appropriate training to treat children with headache. Likewise, many physicians feel underprepared to refer the child for behavioral treatments. This article serves as a primer, providing tools for the general child psychologist or mental health provider by answering frequently asked questions. First, we provide a concise background on pathophysiology and medical care for headache. We then detail aspects of behavioral interventions for headache, including a case example. We included a limited list of up-to-date references most relevant to the child psychologist who does not treat headache on a regular basis to support further reading. By reviewing this primer, local mental health professionals can provide children with headache access to high-quality, evidence-based clinical care closer to home.

Behavioral management of headache in children and adolescents

Headache is the most frequent neurological symptom and the most prevalent pain in children and adolescents, and constitutes a serious health problem that may lead to impairment in several areas. Psychosocial factors, social environment, life events, school and family stressors are all closely related to headaches. A multidisciplinary strategy is fundamental in addressing headache in children and adolescents. Applying such a strategy can lead to reductions in frequency and severity of the pain, improving significantly the quality of life of these children.

It has been demonstrated that behavioral intervention is highly effective, especially in the treatment of paediatric headache, and can enhance or replace pharmacotherapy, with the advantage of eliminating dangerous side effects and or reducing costs. Behavioral interventions appear to maximize long-term therapeutic benefits and improve compliance with pharmacological treatment, which has proven a significant problem with child and adolescent with headache.

The goal of this review is to examine the existing literature on behavioral therapies used to treat headache in children and adolescents, and so provide an up-to-date picture of what behavioral therapy is and what its effectiveness is.

"Headache Tools to Stay in School": Assessment, Development, and Implementation of an Educational Guide for School Nurses

BACKGROUND

Headache is the most common type of pain reported in the pediatric population, and chronic headache is an increasingly prevalent and debilitating pain condition in children and adolescents. With large numbers of students experiencing acute headaches and more students with chronic headache reentering typical school settings, greater availability of tailored evidence-based practice guidelines for school nurses is imperative.

METHODS

A 2-armed study was developed to assess the need for and evaluate the use and favorability of a headache-driven school nurse guide. Students and their parents were first surveyed on their school nurse's headache knowledge and management skills. School nurses were also interviewed on their desire for a headache educational tool. This feedback aided in developing a headache resource guide. Next, the guide was distributed to school nurses who provided feedback after a 3-month trial.

RESULTS

Results indicate that "Headache Tools to Stay in School" is a useful resource in facilitating communication among health care providers, students, families, and school personnel on how to best meet the complex needs of students with headaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the guide's favorability, we encourage school nurses to demand the creation of additional evidence-based resources. Continued dissemination of this guide may improve students' headache management under the informed care of school nurses, and may encourage the development of more evidence-based guides across various medical conditions.

Developmental trajectories of paediatric headache - sex-specific analyses and predictors

BACKGROUND

Headache is the most common pain disorder in children and adolescents and is associated with diverse dysfunctions and psychological symptoms. Several studies evidenced sex-specific differences in headache frequency. Until now no study exists that examined sex-specific patterns of change in paediatric headache across time and included pain-related somatic and (socio-)psychological predictors.

METHOD

Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) was used in order to identify different trajectory classes of headache across four annual time points in a population-based sample (n = 3 227; mean age 11.34 years; 51.2 % girls). In multinomial logistic regression analyses the influence of several predictors on the class membership was examined.

RESULTS

For girls, a four-class model was identified as the best fitting model. While the majority of girls reported no (30.5 %) or moderate headache frequencies (32.5 %) across time, one class with a high level of headache days (20.8 %) and a class with an increasing headache frequency across time (16.2 %) were identified. For boys a two class model with a 'no headache class' (48.6 %) and 'moderate headache class' (51.4 %) showed the best model fit. Regarding logistic regression analyses, migraine and parental headache proved to be stable predictors across sexes. Depression/anxiety was a significant predictor for all pain classes in girls. Life events, dysfunctional stress coping and school burden were also able to differentiate at least between some classes in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified trajectories reflect sex-specific differences in paediatric headache, as seen in the number and type of classes extracted. The documented risk factors can deliver ideas for preventive actions and considerations for treatment programmes.

Prophylaxis of migraine in children and adolescents

While it has been established that headaches in the pediatric age group are relatively common, the characterization of headache disorders and their treatment in this group has historically been limited. Due to the paucity of controlled studies on prophylaxis of the primary headache disorders in children, the diagnosis of migraine often rests on criteria similar to those used in adults. Data from adult studies are often extrapolated and applied to the pediatric patient. Although it appears that many prophylactic agents are safe, well tolerated and efficacious in children, currently only topiramate is FDA-approved for use in patients 12 years and over. As a result, despite often experiencing significant disability, many children who present to their physician with migraines do not receive preventive therapy. One-third of adolescents meet the criteria for warranting prophylactic therapy, yet few are offered a preventative medication. Moreover, controlled clinical trials investigating the use of both abortive and prophylactic medications in children have suffered from high placebo response rates. A diverse group of medications are used to prevent migraine attacks, including antidepressants, antiepileptics, antihistamines and antihypertensive agents, yet there still remains a serious lack of controlled studies on the pharmacological treatment of pediatric migraine.

Preventive drugs in childhood and adolescent migraine

While headaches in children are quite common, the study and characterization of headache disorders in the pediatric age group has historically been limited. In the absence of controlled studies on prophylactic treatment of the primary headache disorders in this age group, the diagnosis of childhood migraine rests on criteria similar to those in adults. Data from adult studies are often extrapolated and applied to children as well. Although it appears that many preventive agents are safe in children, none are currently FDA-approved for this age group. As a result, despite experiencing significant disability, the vast majority of children who present to their physician with migraine headache do not receive prophylactic therapy. Furthermore, controlled clinical trials investigating the use of both abortive and preventive medications in children have suffered from high placebo response rates. The shorter duration of headaches and other characteristic features seen in children are such that designing randomized controlled trials in this age group is more problematic and limiting. As such, treatment practices vary widely, even among specialists, due to the absence of evidence-based guidelines from clinical trials.

Pediatric migraine and episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine

Importance

Migraine is a common disorder and a frequent cause of medical consultation in children. Many childhood episodic syndromes have been described as common precursors of migraine.

Objective

To review current knowledge on migraine and childhood episodic syndromes, and to discuss future directions for research and clinical practice.

Findings

For most children it is difficult to describe a headache and fully verbalize symptoms such as photophobia and phonophobia that must be inferred from behaviour. Classical migraine features are rare before the age of 6 years, but some migraine-related syndromes have been described. Benign paroxysmal torticollis of infancy, benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood, cyclic vomiting syndrome and abdominal migraine are currently classified as childhood episodic syndromes, and therefore common precursors of migraine. A strong association between infantile colic and migraine has recently been reported. There are similarities between children with episodic syndromes and children with migraine, regarding social and demographic factors, precipitating and relieving factors, and accompanying gastrointestinal, neurologic, and vasomotor features. The real pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine are not fully understood. Current data obtained through molecular and functional studies provide a complex model in which vascular and neurologic events cooperate in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks. Genetic factors causing disturbances in neuronal ion channels, make a migraineur more sensitive to multiple trigger factors that activate the nociception cascade. The expanding knowledge on migraine genetics and pathophysiology may be applicable to childhood episodic syndromes. Migraine preventive strategies are particularly important in children, and could be beneficial in childhood episodic syndromes. Nonspecific analgesics like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are widely used in pediatrics to control pain and have been found to be effective also in the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Triptans are the specific fist-line drugs for acute migraine treatment.

Conclusions and relevance

Migraine phenotype differs somewhat in the developing brain, and childhood episodic syndromes may arise before typical migraine headache. Diagnosing pediatric migraine may be difficult because of children’s language and cognitive abilities. The risk of underestimating migraine in pediatric age is high. An adequate diagnosis is important to maintain a good quality of life and to avoid inappropriate therapy.

Pediatric migraine: common, yet treatable

Migraine headache is a common problem among children and adolescents that is now recognized as a significant and often debilitating condition in this population. Improved recognition and management of pediatric migraine in primary care is necessary, as there is a knowledge gap in understanding the unique features of this condition and a general reluctance to treat children.

Pediatric headache: where have we been and where do we need to be

In this article, we hope to summarize current understanding of pediatric headache. We discuss epidemiology, genetics, classification, diagnosis, outpatient, emergency and inpatient treatment options, prevention strategies, and behavioral approaches. For each section, we end with a series of questions for future research and consideration.

Self-reported neck pain is associated with migraine but not with tension-type headache in adolescents

Aim

The aim of the present analysis is to confirm or refute the association of neck pain to migraine or tension-type headache and to assess whether this association is independent of other risk factors for headache.

Methods

Secondary school students were invited to complete a questionnaire on headache and lifestyle factors in a cross-sectional study. Neck pain was assessed via (a) a screening question concerning neck pain and (b) denoting affected areas in schematic drawings of the human body.

Results

Absolute increment in prevalence of headache with pain in the shoulder-neck region was between 7.5% and 9.6%. Gender, grade, stress and lifestyle factors were assessed as potential confounding factors. Nearly all factors were associated with shoulder-neck pain and most with headache. After adjustment for confounders, the association of neck pain with headache was almost completely confined to migraine (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.48–3.85) and migraine + tension-type headache (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.50–2.99), whereas the association with isolated tension-type headache was negligible (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.87–1.69).

Conclusion

Neck pain is associated with migraine but not with tension-type headache. A possible link between migraine and neck pain may be the cervico-trigeminal convergence of neck and meningeal sensory afferents or a disturbed descending inhibition in migraine.

Reduced neck-shoulder muscle strength and aerobic power together with increased pericranial tenderness are associated with tension-type headache in girls: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Tension-type headaches (TTH) are common among children worldwide and mean a potential risk of disability and medication overuse headache. The associated mechanisms, however, remain unsolved. Our study investigated muscle strength in the neck-shoulder region, aerobic power and pericranial tenderness in girls with TTH compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

A blinded case-control study comprising 41 girls with TTH and 41 age-matched healthy controls. Standardised testing of isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and force steadiness of neck flexion and extension, as well as MVC and rate-of-force development of dominant shoulder, was conducted. VO2 max was recorded by a submaximal ergometer test and pericranial tenderness by standardised manual palpation. Logistic regression analyses were applied.

RESULTS

Girls with TTH demonstrated significantly higher pericranial tenderness than controls, in correlation with headache frequency (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). Results indicated that the odds ratio of girls having headache are 7.6 (95% CI 1.4-40.9) for weak to strong shoulder muscles; weak to average neck-shoulder strength OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.2-8.1); neck flexion strength OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.0-1.6) and 5.2 (95% CI: 1.4-19.6) for each unit of decrease in VO2 max.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced neck-shoulder strength and aerobic power together with increased pericranial tenderness are associated with TTH in girls. Future interventions should be directed towards health promoting patient educational programmes on enhanced physical exercising. Much more exact and detailed research in young girls and boys are needed.

Contributions of epidemiology to our understanding of migraine

BACKGROUND

During the past decade, the introduction of the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) and the initiation of active campaigns to increase awareness of the high magnitude, burden, and impact of migraine have stimulated numerous studies of population-based data on the prevalence, correlates, and impact of migraine.

OBJECTIVE

This paper provides an update of the literature on the worldwide epidemiology of migraine from studies that included the ICHD-II criteria. The aims of this paper are: (1) to review evidence regarding the magnitude of migraine; (2) to summarize information on the correlates and impact of migraine; and (3) to discuss the contributions, challenges, and future directions in the epidemiology of migraine. Evidence on the magnitude of migraine is divided into the following types of data: (1) prevalence rates of ICHD-II-defined migraine and tension-type headache from international population-based studies of adults; (2) the magnitude of migraine in U.S. studies; (3) ICHD-II-based international prevalence rates of ICHD-II-defined migraine in children; and (4) incidence rates of migraine from prospective longitudinal studies.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature on the prevalence of migraine subtypes and tension-type headache defined by ICHD-II criteria during the past decade was conducted and aggregate weighted rates across studies were derived.

RESULTS

Across the 19 studies of adults that employed the ICHD-II criteria, the aggregate weighted estimates of the 12-month prevalence of definite migraine are 11.5%, and probable migraine of 7%, yielding a total of 18.5%. The cross-study weighted aggregate rate of migraine with aura is 4.4%, chronic migraine is 0.5%, and of tension-type headache is 13%. There has been even greater growth in international prevalence data on migraine in children, with a total of 21 studies of children that have employed the ICDH-II criteria. The aggregate weighted rate of definite migraine in children is 10.1% and migraine with aura is 1.6%. The well-established demographic correlates of migraine including the equal sex ratio in childhood, with increasing prevalence of migraine in females across adolescence to mid-adulthood were confirmed in these studies. Despite increasing effort to increase awareness of migraine, approximately 50% of those with frequent and/or severe migraine do not receive professional treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates that the descriptive epidemiology of migraine has reached its maturity. The prevalence rates and sociodemographic correlates have been stable across 50 years. These developments justify a shift in efforts to the application of the designs and methods of analytic epidemiology. Retrospective case-control studies followed by prospective cohort studies that test specific associations are likely to enhance our understanding of the predictors of incidence and progression of migraine, subtypes of migraine with differential patterns of onset and course, and specific environmental exposures that may have either causal or provocative influences on migraine etiology.

Diagnostic testing and treatment of pediatric headache in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE

To describe the variability in diagnostic testing and treatment of headaches in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with use of a nationally representative sample.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey during 2005-2009. To assess the use of evidence-based treatment, we analyzed all patients <18 years old in 2 groups: (1) primary discharge diagnosis of headache and (2) discharge diagnosis of migraine.

RESULTS

Four hundred forty-eight sampled ED visits from 2005-2009 represented a national estimate of 1.7 million visits with a discharge diagnosis of headache. A total of 95 visits represented a national estimate of 340 000 visits with a discharge diagnosis of migraine. Median age was 13.1 years and 60% were female with a primary diagnosis of headache. In this group, neuroimaging was performed in 37% of patients and 39% underwent blood tests. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids were most commonly used for treatment. For children with a discharge diagnosis of migraine, approximately 40% of patients received non-evidence-based treatment, most commonly with opioid medications, and >20% of patients underwent computed tomography scanning.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variability in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric headache in the ED. Despite evidence-based clinical guidelines for migraine headache, a large number of children continue to receive opioids and ionizing radiation in the ED.

Altered cortical activation in adolescents with acute migraine: a magnetoencephalography study

To quantitatively assess cortical dysfunction in pediatric migraine, 31 adolescents with acute migraine and age- and gender-matched controls were studied using a magnetoencephalography (MEG) system at a sampling rate of 6,000 Hz. Neuromagnetic brain activation was elicited by a finger-tapping task. The spectral and spatial signatures of magnetoencephalography data in 5 to 2,884 Hz were analyzed using Morlet wavelet and beamformers. Compared with controls, 31 migraine subjects during their headache attack phases (ictal) showed significantly prolonged latencies of neuromagnetic activation in 5 to 30 Hz, increased spectral power in 100 to 200 Hz, and a higher likelihood of neuromagnetic activation in the supplementary motor area, the occipital and ipsilateral sensorimotor cortices, in 2,200 to 2,800 Hz. Of the 31 migraine subjects, 16 migraine subjects during their headache-free phases (interictal) showed that there were no significant differences between interictal and control MEG data except that interictal spectral power in 100 to 200 Hz was significantly decreased. The results demonstrated that migraine subjects had significantly aberrant ictal brain activation, which can normalize interictally. The spread of abnormal ictal brain activation in both low- and high-frequency ranges triggered by movements may play a key role in the cascade of migraine attacks.

PERSPECTIVE

This is the first study focusing on the spectral and spatial signatures of cortical dysfunction in adolescents with migraine using MEG signals in a frequency range of 5 to 2,884 Hz. This methodology analyzing aberrant brain activation may be important for developing new therapeutic interventions for migraine in the future.

Complex regional pain syndrome in children: asking the right questions

BACKGROUND

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disorder without a known unifying mechanism. There are little data on which to base evaluation and treatment decisions, and what data are available come from studies involving adults; however, even that literature is relatively sparse. Developing robust research for CRPS in children is essential for the progress toward optimal treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine potential avenues of research in pediatric CRPS based on a review of the literature. Areas of concern include diagnostic criteria, peripheral mechanisms, central nervous system mechanisms, the role of the autonomic nervous system, possible risk factors, options for prevention and potential avenues of treatment.

METHODS

A literature review was performed and the results applied to form the hypotheses posited in the form of research questions.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

CRPS is a complicated entity that is more than a painful sensory condition. There is evidence for peripheral inflammatory and neurological changes, and reorganization in both sensory and motor cortexes. In addition, a significant motor component is frequently observed and there appear to be tangible risk factors. Many of these pieces of evidence suggest options for prevention, treatment and monitoring progress and outcome. Most of the data are derived from adult studies and need to be replicated in children. Furthermore, there may be factors unique to pediatrics due to developmental changes in neuroplasticity as well as somatic, endocrinological and emotional growth. Some of these developmental factors may shed light on the adult condition.

Aberrant neuromagnetic activation in the motor cortex in children with acute migraine: a magnetoencephalography study

Migraine attacks have been shown to interfere with normal function in the brain such as motor or sensory function. However, to date, there has been no clinical neurophysiology study focusing on the motor function in children with migraine during headache attacks. To investigate the motor function in children with migraine, twenty-six children with acute migraine, meeting International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria and age- and gender-matched healthy children were studied using a 275-channel magnetoencephalography system. A finger-tapping paradigm was designed to elicit neuromagnetic activation in the motor cortex. Children with migraine showed significantly prolonged latency of movement-evoked magnetic fields (MEF) during finger movement compared with the controls. The correlation coefficient of MEF latency and age in children with migraine was significantly different from that in healthy controls. The spectral power of high gamma (65–150 Hz) oscillations during finger movement in the primary motor cortex is also significantly higher in children with migraine than in controls. The alteration of responding latency and aberrant high gamma oscillations suggest that the developmental trajectory of motor function in children with migraine is impaired during migraine attacks and/or developmentally delayed. This finding indicates that childhood migraine may affect the development of brain function and result in long-term problems.