Children's Hospital Colorado
Headache Program

Headaches in Children

Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.

Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report Neurology 2021-2 Badge

Get Care

Would you like to learn more about us?
Headache Program
Ready to schedule an appointment?
Schedule online
Do you have questions about your child’s condition?
Call

What is a headache?

A headache is a symptom when children or adults experience pain on or in the face or head. If your child is complaining of headaches, certain characteristics (such as the onset, duration, pain, severity and location of the headache) can help doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado determine the cause.

Associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sounds and triggers also help our team distinguish between different causes of headaches.

What causes a headache?

A headache can be a symptom of a variety of health conditions. The most common cause is usually a primary headache (a migraine or tension headache) or from a cold and other infections like flu or strep throat.

Less common causes of headaches can include neurological infections, masses and other structural abnormalities. However, these are very rare and have characteristics that will help your child's doctor establish a diagnosis.

What are the types of headaches in children?

"Primary headaches" include migraines, tension-type headaches and cluster/trigeminal autonomic cephalgias. The most common headaches in children are migraines and tension-related.

Who gets headaches?

Headaches can be a common problem in children. Up to 11% of children and 28% of adolescents have reoccurring headaches. Children of both genders and all races can get headaches.

Next steps

Cartoon image of a patient and doctor having a telehealth call.

Compassionate Care, Wherever You Are

We’re here when you need us. Telehealth appointments are available across every one of our specialties, so you can get the high-quality care we’ve always offered from the comfort, privacy and convenience of your home.

See if telehealth is right for your child

 

Get to know our pediatric experts.

Teri Schreiner, MD

Teri Schreiner, MD

Neurology - Pediatric

Elizabeth Troy, MD

Elizabeth Troy, MD

Neurology - Pediatric

Dan Nicklas, MD

Dan Nicklas, MD

Pediatrics

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?

Kourtney Santucci, MD

Kourtney Santucci, MD

Pediatrics

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?

Children's Colorado in the news

  • 9News
    Tips for treating migraines in children
    June 20, 2019

    Fewer than half of people with migraines are accurately diagnosed. That’s no different for children. Marcy Yonker, MD, dispels myths around symptoms and solutions for pediatric migraines.