Abdominal Migraine

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines abdominal migraine, which is classified as an episodic syndrome that may be associated with migraine although headache is absent. This syndrome typically affects children aged 3–12 years. Another episodic syndrome that causes recurrent gastrointestinal disturbance is cyclical vomiting syndrome. These syndromes describe periodic symptoms in children who commonly have a family history of migraine, have co-occurrence of migraine, or have an increased risk of clinical evolution to migraine in later years. Abdominal migraine has been reported in adults; however, it is believed to be much less common. The diagnosis of abdominal migraine is made clinically, but if any red flags are raised—including failure to thrive, unexplained or recurrent fevers, chronic diarrhea, anemia, or family history of inflammatory bowel disease—concern should be raised for an alternative diagnosis and diagnostic evaluation should ensue. Treatment strategies are often extrapolated from migraine treatment and should include both pharmacological and nonpharmacological options.