Headache in children: Diagnostic and therapeutic issues

A child is not a “little adult” and many developmental and individual factors affect headaches; these pertain to the clinical expression, diagnosis, and therapy of the primary headache. Accordingly, several aspects must be clarified by: considering the child as a whole in his or her development; taking into account neurobiologic and psychologic maturational processes and familial, social, and environmental factors; and avoiding an adult-focused approach to the disease. Key information in the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of childhood headache must be obtained. Both diagnosis and therapy need to take into account age-related factors.