Symptoms of migraines in children

In early childhood and before puberty, migraines are more frequent among boys. In adolescence, migraines affect young women more than young men. As adults, women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines as are men.

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Some migraines are accompanied by an aura, a warning sign that a migraine is about to begin. An aura usually occurs about 10 to 30 minutes before the onset of a migraine. The most common auras are visual and include blurred or distorted vision; blind spots; or brightly colored, flashing, or moving lights or lines. Other auras may include speech disturbances, motor weakness, or sensory changes. The duration of an aura varies, but it generally lasts less than 20 minutes. Migraine without aura is the most frequent type in children and adolescents, accounting for 70 to 85 percent of all migraines.

In young children, migraine often begins in the late afternoon. As the child gets older, the onset of migraine may change to early morning. Although symptoms can vary from person to person, the general symptoms of migraines with and without auras are:

• Pounding or throbbing head pain. In children, the pain usually affects the front or both sides of the head. In adolescents and adults, the pain usually affects one side of the head.
• Pallor, or paleness of the skin
• Phonophobia or sensitivity to sound
• Photophobia or sensitivity to light
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting