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Lipoprotein a levels in pediatric migraine

Serap Teber1, Ömer Bektas, Arzu Yılmaz

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey. bektasomer@gmail.com

Pediatric Neurology
|September 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with migraine show higher lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels, suggesting a potential link between childhood migraine, elevated Lp(a), and stroke risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
  • Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a known risk factor for stroke.
  • A potential link between migraine and stroke via Lp(a) is being investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in children diagnosed with migraine.
  • To explore the possible association between high Lp(a) levels and migraine in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if elevated Lp(a) could be a factor connecting childhood migraine to stroke risk.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma Lp(a) levels were measured in 63 pediatric migraine patients and age-matched controls.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare Lp(a) levels between the groups.
  • Prevalence of elevated Lp(a) levels (>30 ng/mL) was assessed in both groups.

Main Results:

  • Migraine patients exhibited significantly higher mean Lp(a) levels (17.09 ± 12.12 ng/mL) compared to controls (10.36 ± 10.41 ng/mL).
  • Median Lp(a) levels were also significantly higher in the migraine group (77.62 ng/mL) versus the control group (49.38 ng/mL).
  • A higher percentage of migraine patients (19%) had Lp(a) levels >30 ng/mL than controls (6.3%).

Conclusions:

  • This study provides evidence of elevated Lp(a) concentrations in children experiencing migraine.
  • High Lp(a) levels in pediatric migraineurs may represent a novel link between migraine and stroke.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of Lp(a) in the pathophysiology of childhood migraine and associated stroke risk.

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