Hallucinations and illusions in migraine in children and the Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Abstract

DesignA prospective observational study over 1 year.SettingA District General Hospital, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department.PatientsChildren aged 8–18 years living in the catchment area of a district hospital service with any type of unexplained hallucinations or illusions associated with or without an established diagnosis of migraine.ResultsThe study identified nine children with a combination of migraine and a variety of hallucinations and illusions, including illusions of size, time, colour, body shape, movement and visual and auditory hallucination. An average of 10 symptoms (range 7–15) were reported.InterventionsNone.Main outcome measureNone.ConclusionsIt is important to recognise these symptoms to enable appropriate history taking and diagnosis. These symptoms are common and currently seem to go unrecognised and may pose diagnostic difficulties if onset is before typical migraine headaches occur.