Childhood Headache

Childhood Headache is a comprehensive source of knowledge and guidance to practising clinicians looking after children with headache which includes many clinical examples to illustrate the difficulties in diagnosis or options for treatment. It is also a resource for researchers who are looking for a full analysis of the published studies.

Headache as a common problem which has a significant impact on children’s quality of life is fully illustrated in special chapters. Assessment of the child with chronic headache takes a central position, with two chapters to help early diagnosis of the child with a serious neurological disorder. The scientific basis of headache and migraine is clearly presented and simplified in the chapter of pathophysiology. Headache classification and common headache disorders (migraine and tension-type headache) are fully discussed. Other uncommon but important headache disorders such as chronic daily headache are well-covered.

Several chapters are dedicated to the management of headache disorders, emphasising available evidence-based recommendations, but where appropriate, the lack of available research into given areas is discussed. Current and future therapies are covered separately. Non-pharmacological, psychological and dietary management of headache are also presented in separate chapters.

Models of service provision for children with headache are given from the primary care point of view and also describing the model used in secondary care, giving practical advice on consistent clinical assessment, data collection and the use of diaries and children's drawing in the assessment of headache.

Readership:
Childhood Headache aims to provide practising clinicians with a comprehensive source of advice and knowledge on the diagnosis and management of childhood headache disorders. It addresses the needs of clinicians looking after children with headache, whether it is in a primary care setting, a hospital general paediatric clinic or in a specialist paediatric neurology service. The book is written by world experts on the subject and provides reliable and, where possible, a complete evidence-based coverage of current knowledge. Many clinical cases are to illustrate the complexity, the importance or the rarity of certain headache disorders and bring to life the relevant models of assessment and management.

Childhood Headache also addresses the needs of researchers and scientists. It highlights the results of recent research and also provides critical analysis of commonly accepted classification of headache disorders and pointers for future research needs.