Diseases

Abdominal Migraines In Children

Back

An abdominal migraine is defined as frequent abdominal pain without an accompanying headache. It is a different form of a migraine, which is most prevalent in children and adolescents. An abdominal migraine is more common in those with a family history of migraine headaches and it emerges between the ages of 3 and 10 years. Chronic, recurrent abdominal pain occurs in 9-15% of all children and adolescents. Like a migraine, abdominal migraine is also more prevalent in females than males.

Children suffering from an abdominal migraine can develop a migraine with or without aura later in life. Persistent abdominal pain leads to significant disability in children, it is severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Children tend to miss school, and social activities.Adults With past medical history of nonspecific dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional abdominal pain has increased the risk of developing an abdominal migraine.
Children having abdominal migraine suffer from moderate to severe mid-abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), paleness, flushing, drowsiness and photophobia. Due to the paleness, many parents of kids with an abdominal migraine assume that the condition is serious.