Migraine in Childhood

Abstract
This is a report of a study of 92 cases in which a diagnosis of migraine was made in the Section of Pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic during the six-year period of Jan. 1, 1950, through Dec. 31, 1955. The study was undertaken to obtain information regarding the clinical features of migraine in childhood. We hoped to record data on sex distribution, age at onset, etiologic factors, and the comparative roles of allergic and psychogenic influences in migraine. Followup letters in the form of a questionnaire were mailed to the parents of 89 patients. The results and tabulation of this information will be presented. Background Migraine in adults is encountered in practice with regularity but we consider that migraine in childhood has been diagnosed infrequently and that the syndrome has been somewhat neglected. Migraine may be defined as a syndrome characterized by headache, associated gastrointestinal disturbances, and visual complaints. This