Related concepts:

Migraine, childhood migraine, stress headache, tension headache

Introduction to a headache:

Headaches are quite common in children. An older child will say, “My head hurts…”A toddler, though, may just act cranky, rub his head, or try to find a darkened room. In a young child, vomiting may be the only clue. Most headaches are minor, but because headaches can sometimes be clues to serious problems, they should never be ignored.

What is a headache?

Often children have headaches accompanying specific minor illnesses, such as strep throat or influenza. These headaches are sporadic, and the headaches themselves are usually not the primary symptom.

Recurrent headaches are a different phenomenon.

The most important causes of recurrent headaches in children are migraines, organic headaches, and stress or tension headaches.

Migraines primarily involve the blood vessels of the head. They are caused by an inherited extra-sensitivity of certain blood vessels to the nerve and chemical signals that normally cause these vessels to dilate or constrict (especially to serotonin, norepinephrine, and substance P). When these over-exuberant blood vessels expand and contract, the resulting changes produce pain.

Tension headaches usually arise from the muscles of the head and scalp.

Organic headaches are far less common, but far more serious. They often arise from an increase in pressure in the skull, and can be caused by such underlying problems as brain tumors, meningitis, encephalitis, lead poisoning, or hydrocephalus.

Other sources of headache, such as vision problems, sinus infections, and dental problems, are less of an issue for most children.

Who gets a headache?

Anyone can get a headache.

Migraines are much more common than most people suspect. They are the most important and frequent type of headache in children, affecting more than one in twelve kids -- yet only 20 percent of children with migraines are ever properly diagnosed and treated. Before puberty, migraines are more common in boys than in girls. The reverse is true afterwards.