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Migraine-associated vomiting and asystole in a child

J R Buchhalter1, G Berland, R Konkol

  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.

Headache
|February 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Migraine can cause rare, life-threatening cardiac events in children. This case shows migraine-associated vomiting triggering cardiac asystole, successfully treated with a pacemaker.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction frequently accompanies migraine in pediatric and adult populations.
  • While uncommon, significant cardiac rhythm disturbances can occur during migraine attacks, posing life-threatening risks.

Observation:

  • A 3-year-old girl presented with migraine-associated vomiting.
  • The vomiting episode precipitated a critical event of cardiac asystole.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced cardiac asystole, a complete cessation of heartbeat, directly linked to migraine-induced vomiting.
  • This life-threatening event was successfully managed and reversed through the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare but severe complication of migraine in a pediatric patient.
  • It underscores the importance of considering cardiac events in children presenting with migraine and associated autonomic symptoms.
  • Prompt recognition and intervention, such as pacemaker placement, can be life-saving in managing migraine-associated cardiac asystole.

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