How common are migraines in children?
If you're a child or teenager who gets migraines, it might help to know you're not on your own. Lots of people have migraines.
Between about 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 children and teenagers get them.1
Young boys and girls are both equally likely to get migraines. But after puberty, more girls than boys get migraines.2 3 4
It's hard to say how many very young children get migraines. That's because they can't usually explain what's happening to them very clearly. So their parents or doctor might not be able to tell what's wrong.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Evers S. Drug treatment of migraine in children: a comparative review. Paediatric Drugs. 1999; 1: 7-18. 10937475
- Bille B. Migraine in schoolchildren. Acta Paediatrica. 1962; 51 (supplement): 1-151.
- Abu-Arefeh I, Russell G. Prevalence of headache and migraine in schoolchildren. BMJ 1994;309:765-769. 7950559
- Amery WK, Vandenbergh V. What can precipitating factors teach us about the pathogenesis of migraine? Headache 1987;27:146-150. 3597066
This information was last updated in Mar 11, 2008
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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 2008. All rights reserved. |
