The Effect of Preventive Medication on the Improvement of Associated Symptoms in Pediatric Migraine

Kim, Deok Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
Migraine is a common disorder in childhood. Its associated symptoms such as nausea or dizziness etc. are frequently complained about and worsen discomfort in cases of pediatric migraine. This study aimed to investigate the relieving effect of preventive therapy on the associated symptoms as well as headache-related characteristics.
METHODS
We reviewed the clinical data of subjects aged seven to eighteen years who were diagnosed with migraine and had received prophylactic medication for more than two months. The headache-related characteristics and associated symptoms were analysed with prophylactic drugs at one month and three months after medication.
RESULTS
The gender ratio was 11:10 and the mean age was 10.8 years. One month after medication, the duration of headache was reduced in ten of nineteen, a reduction in frequency was observed in fourteen, and improvement in headache intensity in nine. The duration time was shortened in three of eight subjects three months after initiation of medication, the frequency reduced in five, and decreased intensity in seven. Nausea was absent in eight of fifteen one month after treatment, abdominal pain in seven of thirteen, dizziness in five of sixteen, photophobia in six of seventeen, and phonophobia in seven of sixteen. The ratio of disappearance of associated symptoms increased three months after initiation of treatment.
CONCLUSION
Prophylactic medication may be effective in relieving migraine-associated symptoms as well as improving headache-related characteristics.