[Plasma and platelet serotonin in children with essential headache]

We examined the haematic concentration of 5 HT in idiopathic headache in children. We observed plasma and platelet 5 HT concentration in 18 migrainous patients free from painful crisis, and we compared the results with a control group of 20 clinically healthy children. No significant variation was noted in plasma 5 HT concentration between the two groups. The data are more difficult to interpret on the platelet because of the slight statistical difference (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). However we think suggestive the possible existence of persisting platelet anomalies in migrainous children and this hypothesis can be verified in a larger number of children free from painful crisis.