Internalizing Symptoms in Pediatric Migraine: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Systematic Review Methodology

Background:

• Migraine is a common neurological disorder in children and adolescents.
• Internalizing disorders and symptoms are prevalent in pediatric populations.
• Understanding the comorbidity between pediatric migraine and internalizing conditions is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the association between internalizing disorders/symptoms and migraine in pediatric populations.
• To determine if subclinical internalizing symptoms are linked to migraine in children and adolescents.
• To provide a narrative and, if feasible, quantitative summary of this association.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases (inception–December 2019).
• Inclusion of observational studies (case-control, cohort, cross-sectional) in individuals aged 18 years and under.
• Independent screening, data extraction, and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa criteria) by two investigators.
• Narrative synthesis and potential meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• The review aims to summarize the association between pediatric migraine and internalizing disorders and symptoms.
• Data will be synthesized narratively and, where possible, quantitatively via meta-analysis.
• Quality assessment will ensure the reliability of included studies.

Conclusions:

• The findings will elucidate the relationship between pediatric migraine and internalizing conditions.
• Results will inform clinicians about potential comorbidities in young migraine patients.
• This review will guide future research directions in pediatric headache medicine and mental health.