Recurrent headaches in children--an analysis of 47 cases

In a retrospective analysis of paediatric referrals to a Neurology Outpatient Clinic, the largest single category of 47 patients (32%) presented with acute recurrent headache. There were 30 girls and 17 boys. Age of onset ranged from 4 to 11 years (8.35 +/- 1.98) and duration of headache from half month to 42 months (19.2 +/- 11.9). Only 6 children were unable to describe the quality of their pain. Using conventional criteria, 43 of the children could be classified as classical migraine (10), common migraine (20), basilar migraine (3), ophthalmoplegic migraine (1) and tension tension headache (9). None had any positive physical signs, and all responded to simple measures.
Study site: Paediatric Neurology Clinic, Neurology Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia