[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/07\/migraines-in-children\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/07\/migraines-in-children\/","headline":"Migraines in Children: What You Should Know","name":"Migraines in Children: What You Should Know","description":"Migraine headaches don't just happen to adults. Children can experience these often debilitating headaches too. Here's what to look for in your child.","datePublished":"2020-07-24","dateModified":"2024-07-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-999639678.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-999639678.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/07\/migraines-in-children\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":813,"articleBody":"A migraine is no ordinary headache. It\u2019s a complex and often debilitating neurological disease. This intense, throbbing headache often occurs with other symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. Migraines can last from several hours to several days, making it impossible to function.This problem doesn\u2019t just target adults. Your child could be suffering from migraine headaches but you may not realize it.What\u2019s Behind Pediatric Migraines?Migraines often start in childhood. Half of those with migraines experience their first attack before age 12, according to the\u00a0Migraine Research Foundation\u00a0(MRF). Some 10% of school-age children have migraines. By the time they\u2019re 15 to 19 years old, 28% of adolescents suffer from migraines.Risk Factors for Migraines in ChildrenScientists don\u2019t yet know what causes migraine. Genetics and environmental factors may be partly to blame.Your child has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease if one parent has migraines, according to MRF.Your child has a 75% chance of inheriting the disease if both parents have the disease.Signs and Symptoms of Migraines in ChildrenMigraines in children can often take longer to diagnose and treat. Adults can realize they\u2019re experiencing something different than a headache. Your child may be too young or might have a hard time explaining what they\u2019re feeling.Migraine symptoms include:Dizziness.Moderate to severe pain on one side of the child\u2019s head.Nausea.Pain behind one or both eyes.Seeing flashes of light, spots or blind spots, or other vision changes (also known as migraines with aura or \u201cclassic migraine\u201d).Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or smell.Vomiting.Other signs to watch for in children also include:Depression.Difficulty concentrating.Fatigue or tiredness.Irritability.Mood or behavior changes.Sleep disturbances.Children can also experience what\u2019s known as anticipatory anxiety. This is anxiety caused by the fear that a migraine may occur.When Should You See a Doctor About Pediatric Migraines?In general, children usually experience shorter and less frequent migraine episodes than adults. Your child also may experience chronic migraine (CM). According to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF), this occurs when a child has 15 or more headache days per month for more than three months. A headache day is a day with a headache that lasts for at least four hours.You should see a doctor if your child:Develops frequent or severe headaches.Has any migraine symptoms.Is awakened by a headache or experiences headaches in the morning upon awakening.Takes any medication for a headache more than twice a week.Seek emergency care if your child:Has a sudden \u201cthunderclap\u201d worst-ever headache.Has altered mental status, confusion, or lethargy with a headacheHas fever and stiff neck with a headache.The AMF suggests keeping a headache journal. You should record:Any triggers you can identify for your child’s headaches.How long each headache lasts (duration).How often headaches occur (frequency).Your child\u2019s headache symptoms.This information can help your doctor in diagnosis and treatment.Treatment For MigrainesYour child\u2019s pediatrician or family doctor can help develop a treatment plan. They can also refer you to the\u00a0Division of Child Neurology\u00a0at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.Migraine treatment can include medications, behavioral therapy, nutritional or lifestyle changes, and prevention and coping strategies.There are very few Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for migraine prevention and treatment in children. Your doctor may use off-label drugs to prevent or treat your child\u2019s migraines.You can give your child over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil\u00ae) or acetaminophen (Tylenol\u00ae) to manage pain during migraines. Talk to your doctor about how often your child should take these drugs. Rebound headaches can occur, so you want to be careful not to overuse them.Healthy Habits to Avoid MigrainesIdentifying and preventing triggers is a big part of migraine treatment.Healthy habits that the AMF recommends for migraine prevention include:Decreasing caffeine intake, such as from soda, coffee drinks, and chocolate.Eating more fresh food and less processed food.Exercising regularly.Getting adequate and consistent sleep each night.Keeping snacks on hand and not skipping meals.Staying hydrated throughout the day.Strategies to manage migraine pain include:Placing a cold compress or cloth on the painful area.Resting in a quiet, cool, dark room.Sipping cold water.Migraines can interfere with your child\u2019s daily life. And school day stress can contribute to their migraines. Your child\u2019s doctor and school nurse can help your child develop a plan to manage migraines at school and during extracurricular activities.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 24, 2020, and was last reviewed on July 9, 2024.SourcesMigraine in Schoolchildren: A Parent's Guide. American Migraine Foundation. Link Pediatric Migraine: A Guide for Parents. American Migraine Foundation. LinkLaura Papetti. Prophylactic Treatment of Pediatric Migraine: Is There Anything New in the Last Decade? Frontiers in Neurology. 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