RECURRENT HEADACHE IN CHILDREN – PREVALENCE AND DISTINCTIVENESS

Objectives: The aim of the study was to instigate prevalence of recurrent headache and migraine in children, and recognize its distinctiveness. Methods: Investigations were carried out in period from 1989 to 2004, on 30636 children in nine towns of south part of Serbia & Montenegro. Results: Recurrent headache was found in 27.46% and migraine in 8.63% of children, aged 3 to 16years. Recurrent headaches showed increasing age presence in observed group, from 16.65 to 32.87% in boys, and from 14.23 to 40.50% in girls. That they have been found at average 9 years 2.5 months in distance 3–15years. Migraine with aura makes 25.55%, migraine without aura 67.21% and other migraine syndromes 7.23% of the migraine syndromes with children of investigated population. Recurrent headaches are much more frequent in urban environments, with children from incomplete families, bad family atmosphere and poorer welfare, and with second born child.

Conclusion: Children with recurrent headaches have been diagnosed and followed from general practice doctor in 13.7%, pediatrician in 50%and neurologist or neuropediatrician in 36.3%. Non-specific medication more than twice per week was present in 13.5% children with recurrent headache. Normal daily activity was compromised in children with recurrent headache 4.17 days per year.