Impact of puberty in pediatric migraine: A pilot prospective study

Abstract

Background and Purpose The short-term evolution of pediatric migraine remains un-clear. We aimed to describe the evolution of migraine before and after puberty and its relationship with lifestyle habits. Methods We prospectively selected prepuberal patients from a neuropediatric unit who had a migraine diagnosis. Their medical history, migraine characteristics and impact, and lifestyle habits were recorded at the baseline visit. After 2 years we performed a telephone follow-up assessment. Results Nineteen patients were recruited (age 10.2±2.9 years, mean±SD; 57.9% female), of whom 27.5% had migraine with aura. The accompanying symptoms had changed at the fol-low-up, with significantly higher prevalence rates of dizziness (44.4% vs. 88.9%), vertigo (11.1% vs. 66.7%), mood changes (38.9% vs 83.3%), confusion (5.6% vs. 77.8%), and allo-dynia (27.8% vs. 61.1%). Sleep disturbances (5.6% vs. 38.9%) and schedule changes (0% vs. 38.9%) increased significantly as triggers. Prodromal symptoms became more prevalent (16.7% vs. 50%), with a higher proportion of sleep disturbances reported (50.0% vs. 87.5%). Conclusions Prodromal symptoms increase in pediatric migraine after 2 years, and some trigger factors for migraine become more prevalent, including sleep disturbances. New accompanying symptoms are also identified. These changes provide information about how migraine changes during puberty along with physical and lifestyle changes, and represent a dynamic physiopathological process that deserves more research.