Pediatric Headache Red Flags and What They Might Indicate

If a pediatric patient frequently complains of headaches or other discomfort, it is important to ask about and monitor concurrent symptoms. While the following symptoms could suggest any number of conditions, they require special attention if occurring in combination with frequent headaches.

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Sudden onset/thunderclap headache
• Head trauma
• Weight loss
• Onset in sleep – early morning
• Headache worsens while upright
• Headaches worsens while supine
• Focal neurological symptoms
• Precipitated by Valsalva
• Triggered by cough + brain stem/cerebellum/cervical spinal cord dysfunction

If your pediatric patient has significant changes in pattern, type or characteristics of his/her headaches, it may indicate a progression of a disorder or new onset of a concern.

Some studies indicate that young patients (less than 5 years, sometimes less than 7 years) have more serious headaches.

It is also important to remember that if a child does not have a family history of concurrent headache symptoms, he/she is at a higher risk of having a serious or secondary cause of headache.

For headache concerns in your pediatric patients, please contact Boys Town Headache Clinic at 531-355-1234.