An Evidence-Based Review of Life-Threatening Secondary Headaches in Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department (Stroke CME and Pharmacology CME)

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• Most pediatric headaches are primary type (eg, migraine or tension type) or relatively benign secondary type (eg, headaches due to viral illness, concussion).
• Of all pediatric patients with headache presenting to the ED, 4% to 15% could have a serious underlying pathology such as stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, sinusitis, orbital cellulitis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, or brain masses.^2,3,5
• A thorough history and examination of pediatric patients includes reviewing the growth chart, a general knowledge of their developmental milestones and primitive reflexes, as well as a careful skin examination.