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Epilepsy and migraine headache: is there a connection?
1Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St, Slot #512-15, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. stevensonsharon@uams.edu
Summary
Pediatric epilepsy patients show a higher prevalence of migraine headaches compared to the general population. A family history of epilepsy is more common than a family history of migraine in these children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Epilepsy and migraine are common neurological disorders in children.
- Investigating comorbidities like migraine in pediatric epilepsy is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of migraine headaches in pediatric patients diagnosed with epilepsy.
- To examine the incidence of family history of both epilepsy and migraine in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 475 pediatric epilepsy patients.
- Data collection included demographics, headache, migraine, and family history of neurological disorders.
- Patients were identified via ICD-9-CM codes from a major teaching hospital's pediatric neurology clinic.
Main Results:
- Migraine prevalence in pediatric epilepsy patients was 14.7%, significantly higher than the general population (2.7%-11%).
- A positive family history of epilepsy was found in 20.6% of patients.
- Only 4.7% of patients reported a family history of migraine.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight a significant comorbidity between epilepsy and migraine in children.
- A positive family history of epilepsy supports genetic links in some epilepsy cases.
- Clinicians should consider screening for coexisting disorders when diagnosing primary conditions in pediatric neurology.