It may be that the pain is nothing dangerous for the child, it may be, for example, nervous, due to stressful situations during the day, when they have had too little sleep, have not eaten or drunk anything or have simply hit their head. Headaches can also be associated with various types of brain lesions e.g. brain tumours.

Should we underestimate headaches in children?

If your child complains of a headache, and such situations are becoming more frequent, it is advisable to see a specialist paediatrician or paediatric neurologist. In most cases, headaches in children are of a primary nature (this is about 90% of cases). These include, for example, tension headaches or migraines. Many parents do not react when their children complain of a headache, but they should not do so. Of course, if it happens occasionally, they should not panic either.

The situation is different when a child repeatedly reports that he or she has a headache accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, visual disturbances, irritability, an elevated temperature and others. In such a situation, we should visit a specialist, in order to take a detailed medical history and then to perform examinations such as CT scans, MRI scans and others. On this basis, the doctor will assess what is causing the headache and take the appropriate treatment.


Most common causes of headaches in children

Some of the most commonly cited causes of headaches in children include:

• stress, it is a very common cause of headaches. The pain usually occurs in the afternoon or before bedtime. The pain is located in the forehead, occiput or temple area
• visual problems
• migraine, which occurs in children over 4 years of age, the child feels a strong throbbing pain, which can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sounds, light and smells
• problems with sight
• irregular feeding
• injuries
• neurological diseases
• ear infections
• sinusitis
• cold
• viral and bacterial infections

If your child has recurring, severe headaches, which do not go away with painkillers, you should consult your doctor immediately. The situation is similar if your child has suffered an injury to the head.