The clinical characteristics of primary headache and associated factors in children: A retrospective descriptive study

Background: Headache is the most encountered manifestation of pain in childhood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of primary headaches. Further, the factors associated with primary headache were examined. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted among young children and adolescents over 3 years at a tertiary referral teaching hospital in North Jordan. Relevant patient information was obtained by reviewing patients' medical records. Results: This study included 194 children (95 males, 99 females). The incidence rate of primary headache in the current study was 2.815 per 1000 children visited pediatric clinic. The mean age of patients at the time of headache onset was 10 years, and about half of them were males (95/194; 49%). Approximately 30% (56/194) had a family history of headache. Migraine headaches were the most commonly reported types (87/194; 44.8%) and only 17/194; 8.7% suffered from tension type headaches. Approximately, 40% (84/194) of patients reported severe headache and a third of them (67/194; 34.5%) complained of daily headaches. Pain location was reported as bilateral in most patients (153/194; 78.9%). About one fifth (41/194; 21.1%) stated that their headache was precipitated by sleep deprivation. Abnormal serum level of vitamin D and family history of headache were significantly associated with primary headache (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of early detection and management of headaches among pediatric population. In addition, screening vitamin D status should be encouraged for children presented with primary headaches.