Primary headaches in children

Abstract

Headaches in children are common, and can have a significant impact on children’s school attendance and quality of life. Although most causes of headaches in children are benign, concern from clinicians and patient caregivers about missing a serious underlying cause can result in a high referral rate to secondary care. This article provides a succinct and practical approach to the assessment and management of a child presenting to general practice with a headache. This will include consideration of possible underlying pathology, diagnosis and management of primary headaches, with emphasis on managing lifestyle and psychosocial factors that negatively impact on headaches.