While migraines are often thought of as affecting adults, children and teens can also experience these intense, sometimes debilitating headaches. Migraines in kids are actually fairly common, affecting at least in the United States.
Though they can be painful, they are normally not a sign of a serious problem. Dr. Brian Faux, a pediatric neurologist with University Health, explains the different types of migraines and when your child or teen may need brain imaging or further medical testing.
Pediatric Migraine Symptoms
How can you tell the difference between a regular headache and a pediatric migraine?
Migraines in children and adolescents usually last between one and 48 hours and include at least two of the following:
- Moderate to severe pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Pain aggravated by movement
- Pain on one or both sides of the head or on the front of the head
- Pulsating or throbbing sensation in the head
- Sensitivity to light and/or sound
“In some cases, pediatric migraine can also cause difficulty focusing, blurred vision and even abdominal discomfort,” said Dr. Faux.
Types of Migraines in Kids
Migraines aren’t one size fits all. There are several different types that can manifest in different ways. Types of pediatric migraine include:
Basilar Artery Migraine
These migraines, which are more common in adolescent girls than in boys, can cause double vision and make it hard to move around. Your pediatrician may need to conduct testing to rule out other neurological conditions.
- Basilar artery migraines may cause these symptoms:
- Altered consciousness
- Difficulty moving body parts
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Headache in the back of the head
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
“While basilar artery migraines tend to go away within one to three hours after onset, they can transform into other types of migraines,” said Dr. Faux. “They can turn into a classic or common migraine.”
Classic Migraine
Classic migraines occur with an aura, which can include vision changes that look like shimmering lights, lights surrounding a blind spot, zigzags or flashing lights. Auras usually develop five to 20 minutes before the onset of a migraine.
Other classic migraine symptoms can include:
- Numbness, burning or a tingling sensation
- Problems with speech
- Weakness in part of the body
These migraines usually go away within an hour after first developing.
Common Migraine
This type of migraine is not accompanied by auras. If left untreated, they can last anywhere from four hours to three days.
Common migraines generally include at least two of the following symptoms:
- Moderate to severe pain on one side of the head
- Nausea
- Pulsating or throbbing sensation
- Sensitivity to light and sound
Common migraines are also notable because they tend to worsen with physical activity.
Diagnosing Migraines in Kids
If your child is experiencing symptoms that may be caused by migraines, it can be helpful to keep a detailed record of those symptoms, including when they occur and what your child was doing beforehand. Share that information with your child’s pediatrician.
To diagnose the cause of your child’s symptoms and determine how to best treat them, your child’s provider will perform a thorough physical exam and may order testing, including lab tests, to confirm a diagnosis.
Imaging scans of the brain may also be recommended in certain cases, such as if your child experiences:
- Changes in any characteristic of the headache
- Clear escalation of headache severity
- Severe, sudden symptoms
- Specific changes in vision
Your child’s provider may also order imaging if there is significant concern for a tumor or if they detected abnormalities during a neurologic exam.
Pediatric Primary Care at University Health
Believe your child is experiencing migraine symptoms? Check in with a pediatrician or a pediatric primary care provider.
Your child’s provider can diagnose what’s causing those symptoms and help you determine next steps, including referral to a headache specialist if necessary.
