Which symptom is associated with pseudotumor cerebri in children?

Which symptom is associated with pseudotumor cerebri in children?

• A. Severe headaches
• B. Abdominal pain
• C. Rash
• D. Fever

Answer: (A)

Pseudotumor cerebri, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, involves increased pressure inside the skull. That extra pressure mainly manifests as headaches, because it stimulates the pain-sensitive tissues around the brain and meninges. In children, headaches are the most common presenting symptom and are often accompanied by signs like papilledema on eye exam, which reflects the raised pressure. Vomiting can occur as well, but symptoms like abdominal pain, rash, or fever don’t fit this condition and usually point to other illnesses. So, severe headaches are the symptom most closely associated with pseudotumor cerebri in children.