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Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis and Primary Headache: Is There a Link?
Giuseppe Tiralongo1, Gabriele Monte2, Michela A N Ferilli2
1Academy of Pediatrics, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Headaches are common in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS), especially migraines in females. However, headache presence and features do not impact the disease course or MRI findings in pediatric MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) is a rare, aggressive form of MS.
- POMS is linked to early cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life.
- Headaches, including migraine, are common in adults with MS, but pediatric data are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between headache presence and clinical/radiological features in POMS.
- To analyze headache prevalence, type, and characteristics in pediatric MS patients.
- To compare POMS patients with and without headaches regarding disease onset and MRI findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 64 POMS patients.
- Patients categorized into groups with and without headaches.
- Analysis of age at onset, MRI lesion burden, and headache characteristics.
Main Results:
- Headaches reported in 78% of POMS patients; migraines were most common (68%).
- Females had a higher prevalence of headaches (74%).
- No significant differences in age at MS onset or MRI lesion load were found between groups. Migraines required more frequent treatment.
Conclusions:
- Headaches are prevalent in POMS, particularly migraines in females.
- Headache presence and characteristics do not appear to influence the clinical or radiological course of pediatric MS.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to understand the long-term impact of headaches in pediatric MS.
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