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Is cyclic vomiting syndrome related to migraine?

B U Li1, R D Murray, L A Heitlinger

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 6, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Most children with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) also have migraine. Migraine-associated CVS in children presents with milder vomiting, more migraine symptoms, and better response to migraine treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Neurology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of intense nausea and vomiting.
  • The relationship between CVS and migraine, particularly in pediatric populations, requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding this association can inform diagnosis and treatment strategies for children experiencing CVS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of migraine-associated CVS in children.
  • To compare pediatric patients with migraine-associated CVS to those with non-migraine-associated CVS.
  • To determine the impact of migraine association on episode severity and treatment response.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of children under 18 diagnosed with CVS between 1986 and 1998.
  • Data collection through chart reviews and structured interviews to assess clinical patterns and treatment outcomes.
  • Classification of CVS into migraine-associated (based on family history or personal development of migraines) and non-migraine-associated subgroups.

Main Results:

  • 82% of 214 pediatric CVS patients had migraine-associated CVS.
  • Migraine-associated CVS subgroup experienced milder vomiting episodes (20.7 vs. 39.5 emeses/episode).
  • This subgroup also reported more symptoms like abdominal pain, headache, social withdrawal, photophobia, and responded better to anti-migraine therapy (79% vs. 36%).

Conclusions:

  • The majority of pediatric CVS cases are associated with migraine.
  • Migraine-associated CVS in children exhibits distinct clinical features, including less severe vomiting and migraine-like symptoms.
  • These findings reinforce the strong link between migraine and CVS, suggesting shared pathophysiology.
Abstract

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