Highlights & Basics
- Migraine is a common neurologic disorder that often starts in childhood and teenage years, and leads to significant morbidity, emergency department visits, and school absenteeism.
- Recurring, moderate to severe headaches associated with nausea and with light and noise sensitivity, with a complete return to baseline in between the attacks, are characteristic of migraine.
- The diagnosis remains clinical, based on a suggestive history and a normal neurologic exam. When evaluating a child or adolescent with a headache, carefully considering differential diagnoses is essential to rule out serious causes.
- Treatment is often individualized and multifaceted. Judicious use of preventive and abortive drugs coupled with migraine education, lifestyle adjustments, and trigger avoidance are the mainstay of treatment.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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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]
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]
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