Learn about Migraine in children symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Migraine in children

What are the symptoms of migraines in children?

The main symptom of a migraine is a bad headache. But some children also feel nauseated.

Here are the main differences between a migraine and an ordinary headache.

Source:
Oleson J.
The International Classification of Headache disorders.
Cephalalgia. 2004; 24: 1-152.

A migraine headache can last a long time. You might have a headache for a few hours. But it could last for up to two days. Or it might only go away when you go to sleep.
You get a throbbing or pounding feeling in your head, like someone banging a drum.
It may feel worse if you try to do anything, even just walking around.
You may feel nauseated (as if you want to vomit).
You may find that light or sound hurt your head.

Some children have warning signs before they get a migraine. These warning signs are sometimes called auras. You could:

Source:
Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB, Ferrari MD.
Migraine: current understanding and treatment.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2002; 346: 257-270.

Source:
International Headache Society.
Classification (1st edition) guidelines: classification.
Available at http://216.25.100.131/upload/CT_Clas/diagnost.pdf (accessed on 21 January 2009).

Get pins and needles
Feel full of energy or very tired
Yawn a lot
Want to eat certain foods
See zigzags, shadows, or flashing lights.

Sources for the information on this page:

Oleson J.The International Classification of Headache disorders.Cephalalgia. 2004; 24: 1-152.

Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB, Ferrari MD.Migraine: current understanding and treatment.New England Journal of Medicine. 2002; 346: 257-270.

International Headache Society.Classification (1st edition) guidelines: classification.Available at http://216.25.100.131/upload/CT_Clas/diagnost.pdf (accessed on 21 January 2009).

This information was last updated on Mar 06, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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