소아청소년에서 연령에 따른 일차두통의 임상적 특징

Clinical Characteristics of Primary Headache According to Age in Children and Adolescents

Purpose : Childhood headache is different from adulthood headache and according to their age in clinical aspects. This study investigated the clinical differences of pri- mary headache according to ages of children and adolescents. Methods : A 300 children who did not show abnormalities on neurologic exami- nation or brain CT or MRI were classified into two groups according to their ages. Results : The percentage of those in the migraine group (24.2% vs. 35.9% in Groups 1 and 2 respectively) was higher in Group 2, but it was not statistically signi- ficant. In relation to the duration of headache, pain lasting for less than one hour accounted for 59.8% and 40% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P =0.001). In relation to the location headaches developed, the frontal region (40.2%) and temporal region (48.1%) were the most common in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P<0.001). In rela- tion to the nature of the headaches, tightening sensation accounted for the highest percentage in both groups; however, pulsating sensation were more common in Group 2 than in Group 1 (16.2% vs. 8.3%, P =0.038). In relation to the severity of head- aches, severe to profound headaches accounted for 35.5% and 61.1% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P <0.001). In relation to laterality, unilateral headaches accounted for 12.4% and 26.7% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P =0.002). In relation to accom- panying symptoms, the incidence of photophobia was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P =0.047). Conclusion : Age factors should be considered in the diagnosis of childhood head- aches. Also, we consider that there may be a need to establish diagnostic criteria specifically for childhood headaches separately from those for adulthood headaches.