Infantile Headache
by Dr. Raimund Pothmann, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oberhausen, Neuropädiatrisches Zentrum
01/98 - 11/01
During the last 30 years the prevalence of migraine and tension-type headaches in childhood and adolescence has increased significantly in western countries from 45% up to 90%. Prevalence of migraine is about 10-15% and manifested in half of the patients under the age of 20. After a possible interruption during puberty the reoccurence of headaches is expected to continue in at least 60% of patients, whereas tension-type headaches typically remains unchanged over time without therapeutical intervention.
Dietary counselling in pediatric headache will be evaluated in approximately 100 children focussing on common food additives such as artificial colouring, preservatives or biogenic amines. Chemical food analysis will be an important link because of the widespread use of these additives. Avoidance of certain food additives may be correlated with clinical improvement in individual cases. Confirmation of the triggering context may be achieved after introduction oral provocation.
A brochure will be developed with detailed nutrition instructions. The main focus will be whether individual consultation is more efficacious than a brochure in changing attitudes on nutrition.
Differentiated food analysis may be an important contribution for future treatment strategies and will especially help develop essential medical nutritional care.
info@carstens-stiftung.de