[Prevalence and features of headache and migraine in childhood]

Rev Neurol. 1998 Mar;26(151):368-71.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: A study of the prevalence of childhood cephalea has been carried on.

Material and methods: We studied a sample of children aged from 3 to 14 years old that consulted to different public health services clinics for control routine. We used an interview based in a questionnaire planned to be answered by parents and the child himself.

Results and conclusions: The more relevant results were: 1. Prevalence of cephalea 42%; 2. Prevalence of migraine according to Vahlquist and Kurtz criteria: 8.7% and 6.5% respectively (confidence intervals between 4.4% and 11.1%); 3. Higher proportion of girls for both cephalea and migraine; 4. Higher frequency of cephalea and the migraine type headache are facts related to the decision of seeking medical assistance; 5. 87% of children with migraine from the sample have relatives with intermittent cephalea; 6. Patients selected as having migraine, according to Vahlquist criteria, have the following predominant symptoms: Unilateral condition, vomiting/ nausea, improving with sleep, photophobia, phonophobia, changes in physical facial appearance, need to interrupt activities, pulsation quality, and visual aura.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Headache / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*