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American Headache Society white paper on treatment of post-traumatic headache from concussion in youth

Patterson Gentile C, Rosenthal S, Blume H, Rastogi RG, McVige J, Bicknese A, Ladak A, Zaveri H et al.

Headache, 2024

12 citations

Abstract

Objective: To provide healthcare professionals guidance on youth at risk for prolonged recovery and post-traumatic headache (PTH), and on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of PTH due to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury.

Background: Headache is the most common persistent post-concussive symptom affecting 8% of youth for >3 months after concussion. Over the past decade, many studies have explored the treatment of PTH in youth, but there are no established guidelines.

Methods: This white paper is based on a synthesis of an updated systematic review of the literature on treatment of PTH and a narrative review of the literature on risk factors for prolonged recovery and health disparities. Results were interpreted by a group of expert providers in PTH in children and adolescents through collaboration of the PTH and pediatric special interest groups of the American Headache Society.

Results: Factors that consistently were associated with prolonged recovery from concussion and persistent PTH included female sex, a high number of acute symptoms, and adolescent age. Social determinants of health also likely play an important role in PTH and deserve consideration in the clinical and research settings. A total of 33 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review of PTH treatment in youth, although most were retrospective and of fair-to-poor quality. Treatment strategies included acute and preventive pharmacologic management, procedures,…

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