Tension-type headache in paediatric age

The aim of this paper is to review the main topics about the management of paediatric tension- type headache. A Medline search was undertaken of all reports and reviews published between 1990 and 2010 using MeSH search terms ‘tension-type headache (TTH), ‘treatment’ and ‘children’. TTH is a very common disorder in childhood and adolescents. In many cases, the frequency and intensity of episodes may be likely to interfere with school and social activities. For this reason, a correct diagnosis and appropriate management of TTH are essential. A detailed history and proper examination, as well as a headache diary, are essential for this purpose and help to distinguish secondary causes of headache. Lacking are studies to test the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment in children, and a few well-tested drugs are available for this purpose. To date, relaxation techniques and biofeedback are therefore best placed as the first-line therapies.