Pediatric neurology
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Structured interviews regarding peri-ictal headaches and personal or family histories of interictal headaches were conducted on 101 children (aged 5-18 years), with generalized tonic-clonic or partial seizures. Epilepsy-specific details were collected by interviews and reviews of neurology clinic charts. Peri-ictal headaches were reported by 41% (29%, postictal only; 5%, preictal only; 7%, both). ⋯ Whereas only half of children received abortive medications for these headaches, simple analgesics were effective in most cases. We conclude that peri-ictal headaches are common, affecting 41% of children with epilepsy. Their presence should be routinely queried, and if documented, treatment with simple analgesics appears beneficial and should be considered.