Childhood migraine

Migraines are a common and often undiagnosed and undertreated problem in children of all ages. Migraine symptoms can vary dramatically in terms of character and severity, from brief self-limited headaches to prolonged events with complex neurologic and systemic symptoms. Identification of migraines requires an index of suspicion in any child with acute recurrent headaches or neurologic symptoms. Diagnosis remains predominately based on the patient's history of symptoms and supported by a positive family history. Neurodiagnostic tests are often unnecessary and of value predominately to exclude nonmigraine disorders that may present with similar symptoms. A number of recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and genetics of migraines have occurred, and continued progress in these exciting areas of investigation is anticipated. Identification of genetic markers in individuals with FHM is potentially the first step in discovery of genetic markers that may be useful in other migraine syndromes and may lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions. The movement from a vascular to integrated neurovascular pathogenesis for migraine headaches is already being translated into the study of new pharmacologic treatments, such as nitric oxide inhibitors and continued development of 5-HT1 agonist (triptans) medications. Although not currently approved for use in children, triptans are being widely evaluated in clinical trials. As additional triptans and new dosage formulations are developed and approved, it is anticipated that the treatment of migraine headaches in children may change significantly in the next several years.