Pediatric headaches: What do the children want?

Author(s): Middlebrook, M. T., Mehallick, L., Rauch, T. M., Deline, C., Thomas, E. F.

Journal/Book: Headache. 1996; 36: 875 Kings Highway, Ste 200, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Amer Assoc Study Headache. 224-230.

Abstract: One hundred consecutive children (aged 3 to 17 years), drawn from primary care pediatric clinics, with a greater than 3-month history of headaches completed surveys to determine the type and associated features of their headache and to query their reasons for wanting to see a physician. Additionally, the children were asked to draw pictures of how they felt when they had a headache to assess their nonverbal perceptions. Over 90% of the headaches were migrainous (65% common. 23% classic, 5% basilar). The children wanted three answers from the physician: what was the cause of their headache, what would make it better, and reassurrance that they had no life-threatening illness. Furthermore, 33% of the children's illustrations disclosed depressive features of helplessness, frustration. and anger. Over 20% of the adolescents depicted themselves as dead, dying, or about to be killed by their headache.

Note: Article DW Lewis, Childrens Hosp Kings Daughters, Neurodev Ctr, Eastern Virginia Med Sch, Div Pediat Neurol, Norfolk, VA 23510 USA

Keyword(s): headache; migraine; child; art therapy; MIGRAINE; CHILDHOOD; PAIN

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