Migraine in children and adolescents: modern principles of diagnostics and treatment

Abstract

Migraine is a nervous system disorder that affects 7.7% of children and can debut before the age of 3 years. As they get older, the incidence of migraine increases, and among adolescents, its prevalence reaches 15%. The disease can significantly reduce the child's daily activity, school performance. Migraine is the most common cause of headache in children and adolescents, but it is not always diagnosed; it is not uncommon for patients with migraine to be misdiagnosed and given ineffective treatment. An effective approach to the diagnosis of migraine in children is presented, diagnostic criteria for migraine according to the 3rd edition of International Classification of Headache Disorders are described. Special disorders in childhood are described – episodic syndromes in children associated with migraine. Migraine treatment in children includes four main approaches: 1) lifestyle recommendations; 2) migraine attack treatment; 3) nonpharmacological treatment; 4) migraine preventive pharmacotherapy. All of the listed approaches for the treatment of migraine in childhood are discussed in detail.