Headache, abdominal and back pain in children and adolescents in Germany Results from KiGGS Wave 2 and trends

Background Pain not only causes suffering in children and adolescents, but also leads to school absenteeism, medication intake, medical treatment, and an increased risk of recurrent pain in adulthood. Objectives Based on data from the nationwide German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 2, 2014-2017), the 3-month prevalence of recurrent headache, abdominal and back pain in girls and boys is reported, and is compared with the prevalence from the KiGGS baseline survey (2003-2006). The consequences of recurrent headache were also explored. Materials and methods Data from >11,000 participants (KiGGS Wave 2) and from >12,000 (KiGGS baseline) participants aged between 3 and 17 years were analyzed. For 3- to 10-year-olds, parents/guardians answered the questions, while 11- to 17-year-olds provided information themselves. Results In 3- to 10-year-olds, recurrent abdominal pain was most prevalent, affecting one third of girls and one quarter of boys. Headache was the most frequent type of pain in 11- to 17-year-olds, affecting almost every second girl and about every third boy. The 3-month prevalence of recurrent headache, abdominal and back pain has increased in girls and boys, especially in the age groups 7 to 10 years and 11 to 13 years. Among recurrent headache sufferers, adolescents take medication almost twice as often as children. Conclusions Headache, abdominal, and back pain are still and with increasing prevalence very common symptoms in children and adolescents in Germany. Their prevention requires a holistic view of children's health in the psychosocial living environment, and healthcare context.