Older children can also get migraines, and up to 28% of teens get migraines.
Despite the prevalence of pediatric migraines, the symptoms can be hard to spot, particularly in younger children.
Therefore, the diagnosis can easily be missed.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
The symptoms of pediatric migraines are different from thesymptoms of migrainesin adults.
Heres what you know about the causes of pediatric migraine symptoms and treatment methods.
What Triggers Migraines in Kids?
Pediatric migraines occur because of pain pathways in the brain that are overly responsive.
Kids who have parents with migraines have a much higher risk of pediatric migraines.
Stress is a common migraine trigger for both adults and children.
Pediatric Migraine Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of pediatric migraines can help you get treatment for your child.
Pediatric migraines look different.
Children with migraines may or may not say that they have a headache.
Unlike in adults, a childs headache will usually occur on both sides, not just one.
In very young children, behavioral changes andgastrointestinal symptomsare often the most noticeable indicators of pediatric migraine.
Other symptoms of pediatric migraine include:
Children can also suffer from migraine equivalents.
These are conditions that occur without a headache, but that are still part of a migraine syndrome.
Children who have migraine equivalents are likely to have migraines in the future.
The symptoms of pediatric migraines may change as children grow up.
For example, teenagers generally experience migraine symptoms that are more similar to those experienced by adults.
Among kids who get migraines, 90% have at least one parent with the condition.
That increases to a 90% chance if both of a childs biological parents get migraines.
To diagnose pediatric migraines, the healthcare provider will talk to you about your childs symptoms.
A child who has one or more biological parents who get migraines is more likely to get migraines.
Pediatric migraines look different from migraines in adults.
For example, kids often have predominant gastrointestinal symptoms and might not say that they have a headache.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician or a healthcare provider if your child has symptoms of migraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric migraine symptoms can last for up to six hours.
After having a migraine, a child might feel tired for a few days.
In general, pediatric migraines are consideredchronicif they occur more than twice a week.
Your child’s healthcare provider might recommend OTC pain medications or certain prescription migraine medications to help with symptoms.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Migraine headaches in children & teens: parent FAQs.
American Migraine Foundation.Understanding pediatric migraine.
American Migraine Foundation.Treatment of migraine in children.
