Prevalence of Headache in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common pediatric health problem that urges the parents to seek medical advice. However, it could be associated with prodromal manifestation [e.g., headache] that usually pass unnoticed by the parents. Previous literature is defective regarding prevalence of headache among children with epilepsy. Aim of the work: Estimation of the prevalence and characteristics of headache associated with epilepsy in pediatric populations. Patients and methods: We included 130 children with epilepsy [study group], and 130 healthy children as a control group. All were selected from Al-Azhar University Hospitals [new Damietta] An inquiry about headache and its characteristics especially in relation to seizures attacks had been performed. Results: Children with epilepsy had a higher rate of headache when compared to healthy children [48.5% versus 22.3%]; migraine is the commonest type in epileptic group and tension type headache in the control group. In children with epilepsy, headache was associated with higher rate of generalized epileptiform activity, increased frequency of seizures and use of monotherapy. Conclusion: Headache is highly prevalent among children with epilepsy and necessitates proper screening, further investigations and proper treatment. Future studies to investigate the problem on a wide scale are warranted.