Pediatrics

Biography

Biography: Maite Hartwig

Abstract

The increasing number of pupils suffering from headache as well as the limited longterm power of drugs forced us to think about non-pharmacological solutions. We wanted to find possible answers for children suffering on headaches specially in combination with high muscle tension and/or allergic comorbidity. Knowing that children with migraine react on special food and additives (Egger et al 1983), we started to look for a oligoantigenic diet. Procedure-A: History of the family situation, life events, the child's troubles and strains, school-situation and nutritional habits were examined. After a run-in phase of 4 weeks headache documentation the children were randomized into two groups (RCT): one with an oral one-hour counselling, the other was only handled over a brochure with the necessary dietary informations. A diet was provided avoiding artificial additives, coffein, milk and fast food for 12 weeks. Results-A: 117 school children suffering from migraine or tension-type headache were recruited. 58% oft he pupils reduced their headache significantly. Results for migraine were even better. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Procedure-B: Pupils with tension-type headache have been examined concerning their upper cervical function (C1/2). Approximately 95% oft hem showed a unilateral reduced rotation of at least 10º. A 1-point scalp Laser-acupuncture at the frontal B-zone according to Yamamoto was performed with approximatly 2 Joule. Directly afterwards and one month later cervical function was controlled. Results-B: Nearly all patients showed an improvement of their cervical function directly after the 1-point-acupuncture intervention. About one third of endurance during the following month till the next date including significant improvement of headache parameters could be documented. Conclusion: Dietary regimes in chronic pediatric headaches and migräne seems to be a valid regime specially in children with a comorbidity of allergies. 1-point-Laser-acupuncture seems to be as effective as ostheopathic interventions. This method could be well integrated in a multimodal program.