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Headache in Children

Chronic or recurrent headaches occur 75% of children by 15 years. The neurogenic hypothesis proposes that cortical neuronal depression is followed by dilation and inflammation of the headache, head ache, headake.

Clinical evaluation

Headaches are characterized as isolated acute, recurrent acute, chronic nonprogressive, or chronic progressive. History should exclude renal, cardiac, sinus, or dental disease or previous head trauma. A social and 

Migraine

Migraines may be associated with a preceding aura, which usually involves visual phenomena. The headache is usually unilateral or bilateral, recurrent, throbbing, and associated with nausea or vomiting. Photophobia or phonophobia is common. Characteristically, the headache is relieved by sleep or by

Management of acute episodes

Oral promethazine ( Phenergan), 1 mg/kg up to 25 mg, often results in sleep and is generally effective. Intramuscular chlorpromazine (Compazine),1 mg/kg, can be used for severe attacks.

Simple analgesics, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, may be

Sumatriptan (Imitrex), a selective 5-HT agonist, is an effective treatment for migraine. The subcutaneous dose of 6 mg is effective and safe in school-age children. Oral and intranasal sumatriptan spray are

Intravenous dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) is often effective when used with metoclopramide. Metoclopramide 

Treatment of Acute Migraine Episodes

Simple analgesics

Acetaminophen

Initial dose of 20 mg/kg PO, followed by 10 to 15 mg/kg q 4 h up to a maximum dose of 65 mg/kg per day (maximum, 3,000 mg/day)

Ibuprofen

 

1 to 12 years: 10 mg/kg PO q 4 to 6 h

More than 12 years: 200 to 400 mg PO q 4 h; maximum dose 1,200 mg/day

Naproxen

5 mg/kg PO q 12 h; maximum dose 750 mg/day

Antiemetics

Promethazine

Initial dose of 1 mg/kg PO (maximum, 25 mg); can be repeated at doses of 0.25 to 1 mg/kg q 4 to 6 h

Metoclopramide

0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg PO (maximum, 10 mg)

Chlorpromazine

1 mg/kg IM for severe attacks

Other Drugs

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

6 mg SC; may repeat in 1-2 hours; max 12 mg/day

Oral: 25-50 mg PO once; may repeat in 2 hours

Intranasal: 5, 10, or 20 mg in one nostril; may repeat after 2 hours

Dihydroergotamine mesylate

0.5 to 1 mg IV over 3 min in children >10 y. Can be repeated q8h. Used with metoclopramide.

Migraine prophylaxis. Migraine may be precipitated by stress, certain foods, lack of sleep, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, alcohol, and oral contraceptives. Elimination of these factors may reduce the