Pediatric Headache: Why Do Children Get Headaches?

Although headaches are usually associated with adults, data indicate that between 75% and 90% of children experience some type of headache during their childhood. And 20% of children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 18 report having had frequent or severe headaches in the previous year.

That is to say, children suffer from headaches quite frequently. In fact, according to the Spanish Society of Pediatric Neurology (SENEP), headaches are a very common reason for consultations in children. This is true not only in primary care pediatrics, but also in pediatric neurology and pediatric emergency departments.

Among the most common causes are infectious and febrile processes, such as the flu , tonsillitis, or sinusitis. These are caused by a specific disorder. These are known as secondary or symptomatic headaches . But there are also primary headaches, which do not have a specific underlying disorder.

Of the latter, "the most important and frequent are tension headaches and migraines with all their variants: with or without aura, related periodic syndromes, etc.," says Ramón Cancho Candela , a neuropediatrician and SENEP spokesperson. Prevalence data for both types of headaches indicate that at least 10% of children suffer from them.

What motivates these pains

The expert states that "it cannot be said that these headaches usually have single or specific causes; rather, they are due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and emotional factors ." Regarding migraines, Cancho points out that "the genetic predisposition component is strong, but they usually appear in response to triggers related to stress, hormonal changes, sleep problems , certain foods, and environmental factors such as bright light or temperature changes."

On the other hand, in tension headaches, "psychogenic and environmental factors play a significant role: emotional and physical stress , fatigue, and sleep problems are at the root of the problem, so secondary lifestyle-related factors are important: school problems, excessive screen use, or lack of exercise ," says the neuropediatrician.

Differences with that of adults

The main differences between headaches in adults and children are the lower tendency toward chronicity in childhood, as well as the shorter duration of episodes. In contrast, vegetative symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, are much more frequent and intense in children.

At least 10% of children suffer from tension headaches and migraines.

One of the greatest challenges facing headaches in children is how to identify them, especially young children, who find it difficult to express what they are feeling. In this regard, Cancho recommends "identifying symptoms such as irritability , crying or restlessness, hyporexia (lack of appetite), sensitivity to light and noise..."

When to see a specialist

Once a headache is identified, it's important to see a specialist if the headache persists and there's no suspicion of a serious underlying illness, especially if the child's quality of life is affected. Both tension-type headaches and migraines can be improved by taking certain measures and treating them.

It's also important to pay attention to signs and symptoms, which may indicate the existence of more serious pathologies . Cancho points out the following: "Headaches may be associated with persistent morning vomiting; they may be evident at the end of a night's sleep and upon awakening; they may increase in intensity with exertion; they may increase over time; and, of course, they may be associated with seizures or sudden visual disturbances," he concludes.