Clinical characteristics and progress of patients with migrainous headaches monitored in the Headache Unit in a paediatric referral hospital

To analyse the clinical characteristics and course of migraine patients who were attended in the Headache Unit of a paediatric referral hospital. We conducted a retrospective observational study of children monitored in the Headache Unit of the Neurology Service who satisfied the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine, with a follow-up lasting more then six months. The following were excluded from the study: patients who failed to comply with the treatment or clinical monitoring, or whose medical data were incomplete. There was a predominance of patients aged between 7 and 12 years, with no differences as regards sex. Bilateral and frontal migraine without aura predominated (74%), with episodes lasting between 3 and 12 hours, and the throbbing type accounted for 45% of cases. The most common accompanying symptoms were photophobia (86%) and phonophobia (88%). Except for the second visit, the tendency of the group without prophylactic treatment was favourable. When prophylactic treatment was indicated, a favourable response was observed (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were found as regards the type of medication employed. A total of 73% of the patients were discharged, and most of them required three visits; 30% of the patients treated reported some kind of side effects. Migraine at the paediatric age is characterised by short but intense episodes of headache that are mostly located in the frontal area. Progress is satisfactory without pharmacological measures in a high percentage of patients. When prophylactic medication was required (due to the patient's presenting frequent episodes of migraine with high scores on the PedMIDAS rating scale), a favourable response was obtained (p < 0.05), with some side effects.