Serious medical conditions that may cause a headache include:
- Brain tumor
- Abscess (infection of the brain)
- Intracranial bleeding (bleeding within the brain)
- Bacterial or viral meningitis (infections)
- Hydrocephalus (excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain)
- Pseudotumor cerebri (increased intracranial pressure)
- Other causes -- such as trauma to the head or ingestion of toxins
(chemicals/poisons)
Diagnosis
A MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) and a MRA scan (magnetic resonance
imaging of the arteries) are two types of tests your doctor may use to help
determine if a serious medical problem is the cause of your child’s headaches.
Both of these imaging tests allow the tissues and arteries within the brain to
be seen and evaluated. Skull X-rays are not helpful. An EEG
(electroencephalogram) is unnecessary unless the child has lost consciousness
with his or her headaches. Frequently, a CT scan is ordered if a patient arrives
at a hospital’s emergency room.
When to call the doctor
Contact your health care provider if your child:
- Has a stiff neck or a fever in addition to the headaches
- Is short of breath, dizzy, has slurred speech, or numbness/tingling with
the headaches
- Has blurred vision, double vision or blind spots with the headaches
- Has three or more headaches per week
- Has headaches that keep getting worse and won’t go away
- Needs to take a pain reliever greater than 3 or 4 times per week for the
headaches
- Needs more than the recommended doses of over-the-counter
(nonprescription) medications to relieve headache symptoms
- Has headaches that are triggered by exertion, coughing, bending or
strenuous activity
- Has headaches that wake him or her up in the middle of the night
- Misses school
- Has any other symptoms or signs listed in this document.
IMPORTANT
Children and adolescents who experience headaches that progress -- that is,
become more severe and/or frequent over time -- and particularly those who also
have the symptoms mentioned on this page and/or have an abnormal neurological
exam may have a more serious health problem. Children and adolescents fitting
this description should be seen by their doctor as soon as possible.