Headaches in Children and Adolescents

Introduction to Headaches in Children and Adolescents

Headaches are a common complaint in pediatric populations, affecting children and adolescents across various age groups. They can significantly impact a child's quality of life, academic performance, and social interactions. Understanding the nuances of headaches in this age group is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Key points:

  • Headaches in children can differ from those in adults in terms of presentation, duration, and underlying causes.
  • The approach to diagnosis and management must be tailored to the child's age, developmental stage, and specific symptoms.
  • Both primary and secondary headache disorders can occur in pediatric populations.
  • A thorough history, physical examination, and sometimes additional diagnostic tests are essential for proper evaluation.


Headaches in Children and Adolescents
  1. What is the most common type of primary headache in children?
    Answer: Migraine
  2. Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of migraine in children?
    Answer: Always unilateral pain
  3. What percentage of school-age children experience recurrent headaches?
    Answer: Approximately 40-50%
  4. Which age group is most commonly affected by tension-type headaches?
    Answer: Adolescents
  5. What is the recommended first-line pharmacological treatment for acute migraine in children?
    Answer: Ibuprofen
  6. Which of the following is a red flag symptom in pediatric headaches?
    Answer: Headache that wakes the child from sleep
  7. What is the most common cause of secondary headaches in children?
    Answer: Upper respiratory tract infections
  8. Which imaging modality is preferred for initial evaluation of suspected intracranial pathology in children with headaches?
    Answer: MRI
  9. What is the minimum duration of head pain required for diagnosis of migraine in children?
    Answer: 2 hours
  10. Which of the following is NOT a typical aura symptom in pediatric migraine?
    Answer: Olfactory hallucinations
  11. What is the prevalence of chronic daily headache in children and adolescents?
    Answer: 1-2%
  12. Which preventive medication has the strongest evidence for efficacy in pediatric migraine?
    Answer: Topiramate
  13. What is the recommended duration of preventive therapy for pediatric migraine before attempting discontinuation?
    Answer: 6-12 months
  14. Which of the following lifestyle modifications is NOT typically recommended for headache prevention in children?
    Answer: Increased caffeine intake
  15. What is the name of the headache disorder characterized by brief, severe, unilateral headaches occurring multiple times per day?
    Answer: Cluster headache
  16. At what age do cluster headaches typically first appear in the pediatric population?
    Answer: Adolescence
  17. Which of the following is a common trigger for migraine in children?
    Answer: Stress
  18. What percentage of children with migraine have a first-degree relative with migraine?
    Answer: Approximately 70%
  19. Which cranial nerve is most commonly affected in ophthalmoplegic migraine?
    Answer: Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
  20. What is the recommended maximum number of days per week that acute headache medications should be used to avoid medication overuse headache?
    Answer: 2-3 days
  21. Which of the following conditions is associated with chronic daily headache in children?
    Answer: Depression
  22. What is the most common age of onset for childhood periodic syndromes (e.g., cyclic vomiting syndrome)?
    Answer: Preschool age
  23. Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of tension-type headaches in children?
    Answer: Pulsating quality
  24. What is the recommended first-line non-pharmacological treatment for pediatric headaches?
    Answer: Lifestyle modifications and stress management
  25. Which vitamin deficiency has been associated with increased frequency of migraines in children?
    Answer: Vitamin D
  26. What is the name of the condition characterized by recurrent brief episodes of head pain associated with autonomic symptoms, occurring multiple times per day?
    Answer: SUNCT (Short-lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform headache with Conjunctival injection and Tearing)
  27. Which of the following is a common comorbidity in children with chronic headaches?
    Answer: Anxiety
  28. What is the recommended duration of prophylactic treatment before assessing its effectiveness in pediatric migraine?
    Answer: 2-3 months
  29. Which of the following is NOT a typical premonitory symptom of migraine in children?
    Answer: Hyperactivity
  30. What is the estimated prevalence of migraine in children under 7 years of age?
    Answer: 1-3%




Disclaimer

The notes provided on Pediatime are generated from online resources and AI sources and have been carefully checked for accuracy. However, these notes are not intended to replace standard textbooks. They are designed to serve as a quick review and revision tool for medical students and professionals, and to aid in theory exam preparation. For comprehensive learning, please refer to recommended textbooks and guidelines.





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