Pediatric Headache

Pediatric Headache: What You Need to Know

• There are many different kinds of headaches affecting children, some of which respond best to specific therapies.
• It’s useful to keep a headache diary, noting when headaches occur, and what your child was eating, drinking, or doing before the headache occurred. Bring this diary with you to your appointment.
• We determine the type of headache your child is experiencing through a detailed history and a thoughtful evaluation of signs and symptoms. Unless there are neurologic abnormalities or other red flags, most tests, such as brain scans, EEGs or blood work, will be unnecessary.
• The most common types of pediatric headaches, including migraine, can often be controlled with lifestyle modifications.
• Regular exercise, proper diet and hydration, sleep hygiene, stress management, supplements (and, if necessary, medications) can make your child feel better and return to normal over time.

Patient Resources

Learn more about Pediatric Headache in our Health Library.

Our Treatments

From initial history and examination to imaging and treatment, you can feel confident that your child is getting the most innovative and individualized approach for managing headache or any other neurological problem.

Our Research

The Pediatric Neurology division at Johns Hopkins is where the latest research is shaping advances in diagnosis and management of the most common and challenging neurologic conditions affecting young patients.