Prevalence of Headache in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common pediatric health problem that urges parents to seek medical advice. However, it could be associated with prodromal manifestation [e.g., headache] that the parents usually pass unnoticed. Previous literature is defective regarding the prevalence of headaches among children with epilepsy. Aim of the work: Estimating the prevalence and characteristics of headaches associated with epilepsy in pediatric populations. Patients and methods: We included 130 children with epilepsy [study group] and 130 healthy children as a control group. All were selected from Al-Azhar University Hospitals [new Damietta]. An inquiry about headache and its characteristics, especially in relation to seizure attacks, had been performed. Results: Children with epilepsy had a higher rate of headache when compared to healthy children [48.5% versus 22.3%];migraine is the commonest type in the epileptic group and tension-type headache in the control group. In children with epilepsy, headaches were associated with a higher rate of generalized epileptiform activity, increased frequency of seizures, and monotherapy use. Conclusion: Headache is highly prevalent among children with epilepsy and necessitates proper screening, further investigations, and proper treatment. Future studies to investigate the problem on a wide scale are warranted.

Keywords

• headache
• migraine
• tension headache
• epilepsy
• pediatrics