Evaluation of headache in children: a retrospective study

Authors : Arzu EKİCİ, Sevgi YİMENİCİOGLU, Kursat CARMAN, Ozan KOCAK, Coskun YARAR, Ayten YAKUT

Pages : 136-140

Doi:10.18621/eurj.2015.1.3.136

View : 20 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2015-11-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives. Headache is a very common symptom that can be seen in the children. It can be seen due to primary or secondary causes. Migraine and tension-type headache are the most commonly seen primary headache types in children. In this study, we retrospectively evaluate etiologic and clinical features of the 228 patients. Methods. In this study, clinical features and neuro-imaging characteristics of the patients, who admitted Eskisehir Osmangazi University pediatric neurology department between 2007 and 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Headache classification was made according to `International Headache Society` criteria. Results. The ages of the patients ranged from 4 to 18 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(average 12.9±3.1);. There were 136 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(59.6 %); girls, and 92 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40.4%); boys. The most frequent causes of the headache were migraine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(37.3%); and tension type headache insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(25%);. There were other associating diseases at 54 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(23.7%); patients. Allergic rhinitis and asthma bronchilitis were the most commonly associated diseases. Abnormalities were encountered  in 3 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6.8%); of the 44 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(19.3%); patients taken computerized brain tomography, 18 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(20.2%); of the 89 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(39%); patients taken magnetic resonance imaging and 8 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.5%); of the 77 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(33.8%); patients taken electroencepahlography. No serious problem is established in patients undergoing neuro-imaging. Conclusions. In this study, it was seen that migraine and tension-type headache are the most frequently seen causes of the headache in the children. It is concluded that unnecessary neuroimaging examination should be avoided by detailed anamnesis and neurologic examination of children that admitted hospital with headache complaint. 
Keywords : Headache, child, migraine, tension type headache, neuroimaging