Migraine headache in children - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Migraine has a high prevalence in children (10%) and is a significant source of morbidity.
Careful consideration of the broad differential diagnosis is important when evaluating a child with headache.
The expectations for the success of treatment should take account of the level to which psychological factors are contributing to symptoms.
Not all treatments (acute or prophylactic) work for every patient.
Spontaneous remission with increasing age may occur in 25% to 50% of children.

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Citations

Key Articles

Ryan S. Medicines for migraine. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2007 Apr;92(2):ep50-5.[Abstract]
Fisher E, Law E, Dudeney J, et al. Psychological therapies for the management of chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Sep 29;(9):CD003968. [Abstract][Full Text]
Richer L, Billinghurst L, Linsdell MA, et al. Drugs for the acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 19;(4):CD005220.[Abstract][Full Text]
Oskoui M, Pringsheim T, Holler-Managan Y, et al. Practice guideline update summary: acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Neurology. 2019 Sep 10;93(11):487-99. [Abstract][Full Text]
Oskoui M, Pringsheim T, Billinghurst L, et al. Practice guideline update summary: pharmacologic treatment for pediatric migraine prevention: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Neurology. 2019 Sep 10;93(11):500-9. [Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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2. Ryan S. Medicines for migraine. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2007 Apr;92(2):ep50-5.[Abstract]
3. Goadsby PJ. To scan or not to scan in headache. BMJ. 2004 Aug 28;329(7464):469-70.[Abstract][Full Text]
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28. Bruijn J, Locher H, Passchier J, et al. Psychopathology in children and adolescents with migraine in clinical studies: a systematic review. Pediatrics. 2010 Aug;126(2):323-32.[Abstract]
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30. Richer L, Billinghurst L, Linsdell MA, et al. Drugs for the acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 19;(4):CD005220.[Abstract][Full Text]
31. Oskoui M, Pringsheim T, Holler-Managan Y, et al. Practice guideline update summary: acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society. Neurology. 2019 Sep 10;93(11):487-99. [Abstract][Full Text]
32. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA drug safety communication: FDA restricts use of prescription codeine pain and cough medicines and tramadol pain medicines in children; recommends against use in breastfeeding women. April 2017 [internet publication].[Full Text]
33. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Codeine: restricted use as analgesic in children and adolescents after European safety review. Drug Safety Update. 2013 June;6(11):S1.[Full Text]
34. European Medicines Agency. Restrictions on use of codeine for pain relief in children - CMDh endorses PRAC recommendation. June 2013 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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43. Charles JA. Almotriptan in the acute treatment of migraine in patients 11-17 years old: an open-label pilot study of efficacy and safety. J Headache Pain. 2006 Apr;7(2):95-7.[Abstract][Full Text]
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