Headaches_Flashcards
What should be done for all children under four presenting with headache?
All children under four presenting with headache should be referred urgently for neurological assessment.
What are the red flag symptoms for headaches in children under 12 years old that require same-day assessment?
Red flag symptoms include: waking at night or present on waking in the morning, features of meningism, vomiting or ataxia, aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or bending down, progressively worsening headache, change in conscious level or pervasive lethargy, within 5 days of head injury, squint or failure of upward gaze, new onset cognitive dysfunction.
What are some symptoms that may indicate the need for urgent referral in children under 12 with headaches?
Urgent referral symptoms include: waking at night, present on waking in the morning, vomiting, ataxia, aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or bending down, progressively worsening headache, change in conscious level, pervasive lethargy, within 5 days of head injury, squint, failure of upward gaze, new onset cognitive dysfunction.
What should be considered if a headache is associated with features of meningism, vomiting, or ataxia?
These symptoms may indicate serious conditions such as infection, intracranial pressure, or structural abnormalities and require urgent assessment.
How can a headache be characterized if it worsens with coughing, sneezing, or bending down?
Headache that worsens with coughing, sneezing, or bending down may indicate raised intracranial pressure and requires urgent evaluation.
When should a headache be considered progressive and in need of further evaluation?
A headache that progressively worsens may indicate a serious underlying condition and needs further evaluation.
What change in symptoms might indicate the need for urgent assessment if a child has a headache?
A change in conscious level or pervasive lethargy in a child with a headache is a red flag and requires urgent assessment.
Why is it important to refer children with a headache within 5 days of head injury for assessment?
Headache within 5 days of a head injury may indicate complications such as intracranial hemorrhage and requires urgent assessment.
What visual symptoms associated with headaches require urgent assessment in children?
Squint or failure of upward gaze associated with a headache may indicate a neurological issue and requires urgent assessment.
What cognitive changes in a child with a headache necessitate same-day referral?
New onset cognitive dysfunction in a child with a headache is a red flag and necessitates same-day referral for further evaluation.
