[Clinical characteristics and progress of patients with migrainous headaches monitored in the Headache Unit in a paediatric referral hospital].

Aim: To analyse the clinical characteristics and course of migraine patients who were attended in the Headache Unit of a paediatric referral hospital.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of children monitored in the Headache Unit of the Neurology Service who satisfied the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine, with a follow-up lasting more then six months. The following were excluded from the study: patients who failed to comply with the treatment or clinical monitoring, or whose medical data were incomplete.

Results: There was a predominance of patients aged between 7 and 12 years, with no differences as regards sex. Bilateral and frontal migraine without aura predominated (74%), with episodes lasting between 3 and 12 hours, and the throbbing type accounted for 45% of cases. The most common accompanying symptoms were photophobia (86%) and phonophobia (88%). Except for the second visit, the tendency of the group without prophylactic treatment was favourable. When prophylactic treatment was indicated, a favourable response was observed (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were found as regards the type of medication employed. A total of 73% of the patients were discharged, and most of them required three visits; 30% of the patients treated reported some kind of side effects.

Conclusions: Migraine at the paediatric age is characterised by short but intense episodes of headache that are mostly located in the frontal area. Progress is satisfactory without pharmacological measures in a high percentage of patients. When prophylactic medication was required (due to the patient's presenting frequent episodes of migraine with high scores on the PedMIDAS rating scale), a favourable response was obtained (p < 0.05), with some side effects.