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The Effect of Probiotics on Headaches in Children with Migraine Treated with Sodium Valproate: A Randomized

Elham Bidabadi1, Mitra Elyasi1, Afagh Hassanzadeh Rad1

  • 1Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Child Neurology
|April 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplements significantly reduced migraine frequency and severity in children aged six to 15. This intervention also lowered daily painkiller consumption compared to a placebo, offering a potential complementary treatment for pediatric migraine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder in children, significantly impacting their quality of life.
  • Current treatments for pediatric migraine, such as sodium valproate, may have limitations or side effects.
  • The gut microbiome's role in neurological conditions is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a specific probiotic (KidiLact) as an adjunct therapy for pediatric migraine.
  • To assess the impact of probiotics on headache frequency, severity, and painkiller use in children with migraine.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 80 children (aged 6-15) with migraine treated with sodium valproate.
  • Participants received either two sachets of KidiLact probiotics or a placebo daily for four months.
  • Outcomes measured included headache frequency, severity, and daily painkiller consumption, assessed at baseline, two months, and four months.

Main Results:

  • The probiotic group showed a significantly lower mean number of headaches per month at both two (1.27 vs. 2.00, P=0.010) and four months (1.18 vs. 1.50, P=0.019) compared to the placebo group.
  • Mean headache severity was also significantly reduced in the probiotic group at two (1.38 vs. 1.60) and four months (1.23 vs. 1.53).
  • Daily painkiller consumption decreased significantly more in the probiotic group (P=0.007) than in the placebo group.

Conclusions:

  • Daily probiotic supplementation (KidiLact) demonstrated a significant positive effect on reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches in children.
  • Probiotics may serve as a valuable complementary therapy for pediatric migraine, potentially decreasing the need for acute pain medication.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the gut-brain axis in migraine pathophysiology and the role of specific probiotic strains.
Abstract

Keywords:
HeadacheMigraineProbioticSodium Valproate

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