Clinical Characteristics of Primary Headache According to Age in Children and Adolescents / 대한소아신경학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Childhood headache is different from adulthood headache and according to their age in clinical aspects. This study investigated the clinical differences of primary headache according to ages of children and adolescents. METHODS: A 300 children who did not show abnormalities on neurologic examination or brain CT or MRI were classified into two groups according to their ages. RESULTS: The percentage of those in the migraine group (24.2% vs. 35.9% in Groups 1 and 2 respectively) was higher in Group 2, but it was not statistically significant. In relation to the duration of headache, pain lasting for less than one hour accounted for 59.8% and 40% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.001). In relation to the location headaches developed, the frontal region (40.2%) and temporal region (48.1%) were the most common in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.001). In relation to the nature of the headaches, tightening sensation accounted for the highest percentage in both groups; however, pulsating sensation were more common in Group 2 than in Group 1 (16.2% vs. 8.3%, P=0.038). In relation to the severity of headaches, severe to profound headaches accounted for 35.5% and 61.1% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.001). In relation to laterality, unilateral headaches accounted for 12.4% and 26.7% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.002). In relation to accompanying symptoms, the incidence of photophobia was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Age factors should be considered in the diagnosis of childhood headaches. Also, we consider that there may be a need to establish diagnostic criteria specifically for childhood headaches separately from those for adulthood headaches.