Comparative characteristics of episodic syndromes associated with migraine among children of different age groups

According to clinical and epidemiological data, migraine is one of the most common causes of headaches among children and adolescents. The phenotypic diversity of migraine in children includes a wide variety of episodic syndromes, which are considered to be early manifestations of migraine. Their verification and early diagnosis allow for significant optimisation of management strategies for paediatric patients.

Objective: to identify the clinical and diagnostic characteristics and prognosis of episodic syndromes of childhood associated with migraine (ESAM).

Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Tambov Regional Children's Clinical Hospital from November 2019 to November 2021. The study included 500 patients. All children underwent a comprehensive clinical and clinical-laboratory examination, a standard neurological and somatic examination, and a psychodiagnostic examination. The diagnosis of the form of ESAM was made using the ICGB-3 criteria.

Results. During the study, the clinical and demographic characteristics of the course of ESAM in children of different age groups were analysed. Some forms of ESAM, such as abdominal migraine and benign vertigo syndrome, are significantly more common in the 6–10 age group. These conditions are highly correlated with the further development of migraine in older children, which determines their prognostic significance. Children suffering from any form of ESAM have an increased likelihood of developing true migraine at a later age. Forms of ESAM such as vertigo and cyclic vomiting may be markers for the subsequent development of migraine. Effective management of ESAM in children can serve as a preventive strategy to prevent the transition to more severe forms of migraine.

Conclusion. There is a low level of migraine diagnosis among hospitalised patients, especially those with general somatic profiles. In everyday practice, ESAM is rarely verified in paediatric patients, which prevents adequate treatment and prognosis of the disease.

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