Headache and Acute Illness in Children

Thirty-seven children with headaches who were seen in a walk-in clinic were matched to 37 headache-free controls. Thirty percent of the headache group and 11% of the headache-free control group had a body temperature above 38°C (p < 0.05). Nonrhythmic pain was more commonly associated with fever than was rhythmic pain (p < 0.05). Of 34 headache subjects who completed questionnaires, those with more intense headaches reported a greater number of headache-exacerbating factors (p < 0.01).Bilateral headaches were more painful than unilateral headaches, and in two thirds of the subjects, the intensity of pain paralleled the course of the underlying illness. A family history of migraine was more common in the headache group as compared to the headache-free control group (p < 0.05). Headaches associated with acute illnesses may be a precursor to later migraine. (J Child Neurol 1987;2:22-27)