Post-Traumatic Headache in Children after Minor Head Trauma: Incidence, Phenotypes, and Risk Factors
Arianna Dondi,
Giovanni Battista Biserni,
Sara Scarpini,
Anna Fetta,
Filomena Moscano,
Ilaria Corsini,
Greta Borelli,
Duccio Maria Cordelli,
Marcello Lanari
Affiliations
Arianna Dondi
Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Battista Biserni
Specialty School of Pediatrics, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Sara Scarpini
Specialty School of Pediatrics, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Anna Fetta
IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neuropsichiatria dell’età Pediatrica, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Filomena Moscano
IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neuropsichiatria dell’età Pediatrica, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Ilaria Corsini
Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Greta Borelli
Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bolologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Duccio Maria Cordelli
IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neuropsichiatria dell’età Pediatrica, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Marcello Lanari
Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Minor head trauma (MHT) is very frequent in children and post-traumatic headache (PTH) is one of its most common complications; however, its management is still a challenge. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of, and risk factors for, PTH among children referred to our pediatric emergency department (PED) for MHT. A total of 193 patients aged 3–14 years evaluated for MTH were enrolled and followed up for 6 months through phone calls and/or visits. PTH occurred in 25/193 patients (13%). PTH prevalence was significantly higher in school-aged (≥6 years) than in pre-school-aged children (21.6% vs. 4.9%, respectively, p < 0.009). Females were found to be more affected. The median time of onset was 4.6 days after MHT; resolution occurred in a median of 7 weeks. In 83.3% of patients, PTH subsided in <3 months, while in 16.7% it persisted longer. A total of 25% of children exhibited the migraine and 75% the tension-type variant. Our analysis indicates the presence of headache upon arrival in PED, isolated or associated with nausea and dizziness, as a factor predisposing the patient to the development of PTH. Our findings could be useful to identify children at risk for PTH for specific follow-up, family counseling, and treatment.
