Headaches are one of the most common disorders seen in children. Some headaches may have no identifiable or obvious cause, as in the case of migraine headaches, or they may be caused by another condition, such as sinusitis, a virus, something in their environment that they may be sensitive to, or even an abnormality in the brain. Some headache-related symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light and noise sensitivity, and sometimes, lightheadedness. Although many headaches and related disorders may not be a serious health concern, they can result in other problems, such as social dysfunction and school absenteeism, which can have a great impact on the quality of life for the child and family.
Our Multidisciplinary Approach to Headaches
The Brain Care Institute's multidisciplinary Headache Clinic at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders in children and adolescents. Treatment is offered both in inpatient and outpatient settings and is tailored to each child’s individual needs. A wide variety of treatment alternatives are also offered, which may include medications, counseling, behavioral medicine, or a combination.
Some of the types of headaches and associated disorders that we treat include:
- Abdominal migraines
- Cyclical vomiting
- Hemiplegic migraines
- Migraines
- New daily persistent headaches
- Paroxysmal vertigo
- Pseudotumorcerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension)
- Tension headaches
Clinical Studies and Research
As a nationally recognized research center, UPMC Children’s Hospital’s Brain Care Institute participates in the latest clinical studies, which involve human volunteers and are intended to add to our medical understanding.
