[Clinical characteristics of migraine in childhood]

M A Hernández Latorre1, A Macaya Ruiz, M Roig Quilis

  • 1Unidad de Neurología Pediátrica; Hospital de Niños de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08009, España.

Revista De Neurologia
|January 11, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Most childhood migraines present with mild headaches and improve spontaneously, often with a genetic link. These features distinguish pediatric migraine from adult forms, influencing classification and treatment approaches.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Context:

  • Childhood migraine's clinical presentation and progression remain poorly defined.
  • Understanding these aspects is crucial for improving prognosis and treatment strategies.

Purpose:

  • To prospectively investigate the clinical features and long-term course of migraine in children.
  • To identify characteristics that differentiate childhood migraine from adult migraine.

Summary:

  • A 10-year prospective study followed 284 children with migraine.
  • Headaches often began before age 10, with a high prevalence of family history (77.5%).
  • Key differences in duration, site, and accompanying factors were noted compared to adults, with 88.3% experiencing spontaneous improvement without needing prophylaxis.

Impact:

  • Highlights distinct clinical features of childhood migraine, suggesting a need for revised classification.
  • Indicates that most childhood migraines are mild and self-limiting, reducing the need for prophylactic treatments.
  • Emphasizes the significant role of genetic factors in the phenotype expression of childhood migraine.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.