A recent study, published in Pediatric Neurology, aimed to describe the relationship between risk factors, such as stress, depression and anxiety, and potentially protective factors against paediatric headache-related disability. It found that stress is “the strongest risk factor for headache-related disability”.

The study was a cross-sectional survey among adolescents seen in an academic neurology clinic, who were reporting four or more headaches monthly. Among the 29 participants, the average age was

14.8 years with a ratio of 31% male and 69% female. The average headache frequency was 11.6 per month and the most commonly reported trigger was stress (86% of the participants reported stress).

Headache disability was assessed using the six-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) (which is a validated assessment of the functional impact of headaches for both migraine and TTH in adults and has been used in adolescent as well as adult headache populations).

Reducing headaches, reducing depression.

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Headaches are becoming more prevalent among schoolchildren

According to a combined study by over 10 international research facilities, headaches are becoming more prevalent among schoolchildren. Results show that between 66 and 71% of 12- to 15-year-olds have at least one headache every three months, and 33 to 40% have at least one per week on average.

Headache is often accompanied by other physical and/or emotional manifestations. The same study identified various factors – a dysfunctional family situation, the regular consumption of alcohol, caffeine ingestion, smoking, a low level of physical activity, physical or emotional abuse, bullying by peers, unfair treatment in school, and insufficient leisure time – can be individually linked to headaches in children.

The link between learning disabilities and migraines

Medical records of kids and teens visiting pediatric neurology clinics reviewed over a one-year period show that among first-time patients, 24% were formally diagnosed with learning disabilities, and a staggering 28% with ADHD.

Dr Elliot Shevel, migraine surgeon and medical director of The Headache Clinic since its inception in 1992 concurs, “Research shows poor to average academic performance is more common among children with headaches. We should look deeper at poor performance. It may be more complicated than a parent might think.”

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