The role of perinatal factors in the development of primary headaches in children

Abstract

In both children and adult patients, migraine and tension type headache (TTH) are the most common primary headaches, they affect about 15% and 21% of the world’s population, respectively. The role of genetic, psychosocial, hormonal factors is traditionally considered in the genesis of primary headaches. Obviously, neurobiological factors including early brain damage, genetic predisposition are involved in the formation of the pathophysiological basis of primary headaches, which interact with a complex of other factors, including external (psychosocial) factors, leading to changes in the pain mechanisms both at the peripheral and central levels. The literature review presents up-to-date data on the influence of pre- and perinatal factors on the risk of developing primary headaches. Intrauterine growth retardation, smoking and alcohol consumption by mothers during pregnancy are analyzed as risk factors for the development of migraine in children. The connection between the manifestations of increased neuroexcitability in children in the first 6 months with the development of primary headaches in subsequent periods of life is considered. The data of comparison of the results of the assessment of early anamnesis in clinical groups of patients with frequent episodic and chronic TTH are presented. The review examines the possible mechanisms of functional disorders of the nervous system that lead to the occurrence of primary headaches in the future. It is necessary to continue research on the role of perinatal factors in the genesis of primary headaches, to clarify the prognosis regarding the possible chronization of pain syndromes and develop differentiated approaches to the treatment tactics for these patients.