Advances in the Acute and Preventive Treatment of Pediatric Migraine

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2023 Oct;27(10):521-529. doi: 10.1007/s11916-023-01157-8. Epub 2023 Aug 10.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Headaches are common in children and adolescents. Treatments for debilitating migraine are often not FDA approved or lack evidence of efficacy for children. This narrative review looks at the evidence for acute and preventative pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of pediatric migraine, as well as reviewing any recent or ongoing clinical trials.

Recent findings: Studies have been published on pharmacological treatments for headache, as well as non-pharmacological treatments. Recent findings in pediatric migraine using onabotulinumtoxinA, calcitonin gene related peptide antagonists, interventional procedures, and devices are reviewed. Pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic approaches for the prevention and treatment of migraine show safety and efficacy data that is promising. These treatments should be incorporated in a multi-modal approach to the management of pediatric migraine. Continued studies, prospective and randomized, are needed to further assess these newer treatments for migraine in the pediatric setting.

Keywords: Clinical trials in pediatric migraine; Clinical updates in pediatric migraine; Non-pharmacologic treatment in pediatric migraine; Pediatric headache; Pediatric migraine; Pharmacologic treatment in pediatric migraine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Migraine Disorders* / prevention & control
  • Prospective Studies