EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEADACHE IN CHILDREN

M. KNEZEVIC ¨CPOGANCEV, A. KRSTIC

Institute for Child and Youth Health Care- Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Yugoslavia

 

Headache disorders constitute a publish-health problem of enormous proportions with an impact on both, the individual sufferer and on society, as well as on the complete family if headache sufferer is child. Epidemiological knowledge is required to quantify the significance of these disorders.

 

Examining prevalence of headache, distribution, attack frequency and duration, as well as the headache-related disability has assessed the effects on individuals.

 

In the period from 1988 to 1999 investigations were carried out on 24,036 children aged 3-16 and at the territory of Vojvodina.

 

Recurrent headache syndrome in children, was found with of 27.46% children aged 3 to 16 years, 26,8% of boys, and 28,4% of observed girls. Headache is found at the average age of 5 years 2.4 months, increasing with age from 14.oo% to 21.15% in boys, and from 11.52% to 25.84% in observed girls. Recurrent headache is more frequent in urban environments, with children from incomplete families, bad family atmosphere and poorer material welfare and with the second born child.

 

Headache disorders deserve more attention, especially concerning strategies leading to adequate primary prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

 
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