Prevalence and Pattern of Headache in Pediatric Epilepsy

The primary aim of this observational cross-sectional study is to estimate the prevalence and characterize headaches in pediatric epilepsy patients. Secondary objectives include identifying potential risk factors and triggers associated with headaches in this population and assessing their impact on quality of life.

Participant Criteria

Inclusion criteria

Children aged 5-18 years with epilepsy

Mentally normal and able to describe symptoms

Willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Children unable to express symptoms due to mental retardation, psychiatric illness, or verbal disability

Children or parents who refuse to participate

Methodology Sample Size: 60 patients, calculated using Epi-info version 7 software, based on a previous study showing 45.7% headache prevalence in pediatric epilepsy patients.

Data Collection:

Detailed medical history, including neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal aspects

Comprehensive headache history (onset, location, intensity, quality, duration, frequency, associated symptoms)

Epilepsy history (age of onset, duration, type, medication, seizure control)

General physical examination

Neurological examination

Investigations:

Electroencephalogram (EEG) using Nihon Kohden model 1200

Neuroimaging studies (MRI, CT) if available

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Inclusion criteria

• pediatric epilepsy patients (5:18 years of age) who are mentally normal and can describe their symptoms.

2/ Acceptance to participate in this study.

Exclusion criteria

• / Children who can't express their symptoms properly because of mental retardation, psychiatric illness or verbal disability.

2/ Children or Parents who refused to participate in this study.