ED Visits for Headaches Increasing Significantly Among Children

Recent research presented at the AAP 2016 National Conference and Exhibition found that there is an increasing trend of pediatric patients reporting to the emergency department (ED) for headache-related reasons. 

“Overall, we are performing fewer computed tomography scans, which spares our children from receiving radiation exposure,” Regina Toto,  MD, pediatric chief resident at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, said in a press release.  “At the same time, we are providing more medications to children with headaches than we have in the past.”

Dr Toto and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s ED for headache pain in children aged 4 to 20 years. They studied data from over a 7-year period, from 2007 to 2014. Their analysis was adjusted for variables including age, gender, race, ethnicity, head injury within 48 hours, concussion history, and medical history.

Study results showed that over the study period, ED visits for headaches increased from 2% in 2007 to 4% by 2014. They also found that over the same period, admissions for headache-related visits increased from 10% to 24%. 

Dr Toto and colleagues also found that while admissions increased, the use of CT scans decreased over the same time period. 

The researchers noted that their study suggest an increased burden on the health care system. They also noted that “it is not uncommon to see patients and parents that have missed significant amounts of school or work because of chronic headaches.”

Dr Toto suggestted additional research be conducted in order to determine why pediatric ED visits for headaches are increasing in prevalence. 

“Our findings show a worrisome trend, and we need to figure out why so many children are ending up in hospitals with headaches,” Dr Toto concluded in the press release. —David Costill