Chronic Daily Headache in Children and Adolescents: Science and Conjecture

Abstract

SUMMARY Chronic daily headache comprises a group of headache disorders in which headaches occur almost daily or continuously over several months. Although chronic daily headache is one of the most common chronic pain disorders in pediatrics, data on pathophysiological mechanisms and relative efficacy of treatments remain sparse. In this review, we aim to provide contemporary information on classification, epidemiology, etiology and treatment of pediatric chronic daily headache based on extant empirical data when available, or general consensus in the field when not.

Fifteen minute consultation: an approach to the child with chronic headaches

“…Other less common comorbid psychiatric disorders include neurodevelopmental conditions as well as somatoform or dissociative disorders 18. Where there is a significant mental health difficulty, it may be useful to initiate a referral to local child and adolescent mental health services whereby a child and adolescent psychiatrist may complete a mental state assessment.…”

Perspectives on the clinical significance of functional pain syndromes in children

“…Similar barriers have been recognized within the pediatric headache population. 50 Connelly and Bickel 50 suggested employing the use of a bottom-up approach with large sample, population-based data in order to further identify typical mechanistic pain patterns and characteristics. Utilizing this approach for FPS could provide benefit by narrowing the focus on possible underlying mechanisms and facilitate categorization for future research studies.…”