The Prognosis and Treatment of Headaches in Children: a Ten Year Follow-up

     Joseph Dooley and Alexa Bagnell

Abstract:   The prognosis and methods of treating headaches were studied in a group of children, 10 years after their initial diagnosis in 1983. Follow-up was achieved for 77 patients (81%). Headaches persisted in 72.7% but were much improved in 81.3%. Medication use was uncommon, with non-prescription medications used by 30.3% and prescription medications by only two. These data suggest that although childhood onset headaches are likely to persist, children who receive early education regarding the use of non-pharmaceutical methods of headache control appear to rely on these methods even after an interval of 10 years.

Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1995; 22: 47-49