Intestinal migraines are a variant form of migraines that occur almost exclusively in children. Abdominal rather than head pain predominates with intestinal migraines, which are also known as abdominal migraines and childhood periodic syndrome. Symptoms of abdominal migraines typically begin in early childhood and may persist throughout adolescence into adulthood, in rare instances. Children with abdominal migraines often develop typical migraines in adulthood.
Abdominal Pain
Children with intestinal migraines present with sudden abdominal pain that may persist from one hour to three days, according to the American Headache Society. The pain characteristically occurs in the midline of the abdomen. It may center on the navel or manifest more broadly across the abdomen. Pain ranges from moderate to severe and may be described as aching, sharp or crampy. During an episode of abdominal pain, the symptoms prove severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities. The pain of an abdominal migraine typically resolves as suddenly as it begins. Patients are well and free of abdominal symptoms between attacks.
The physical examination and diagnostic tests prove normal in patients with abdominal migraines, indicating no abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. When patients receive migraine medications during an attack, abdominal pain usually improves. Notably, children presenting with abdominal migraines often have immediate family members with migraines.
Nausea and Vomiting
Abdominal migraines may cause nausea and vomiting, according to the National Headache Foundation. Young children may have difficulty describing the sensation of nausea; parents may notice the child refuses to eat. Nausea and vomiting may prove severe. These symptoms typically resolve when the abdominal pain abates.
Pallor or Flushing
Patients with abdominal migraines typically exhibit pallor, or loss of color from the face, report Dr. Fiona Dignan and colleagues in a 2001 article published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood." Less commonly, patients demonstrate facial flushing, or a reddened face.
Malaise
Malaise, or a general sense of feeling of ill, occurs commonly in patients with abdominal migraines. In a 1995 hallmark study of abdominal migraines published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood," Drs. Ishaq Abu-Arafeh and George Russell report that approximately 85 percent of children with abdominal migraines experience malaise, roughly the same percentage found among children with typical migraines.
Headache
Some children with abdominal migraines experience a headache along with the abdominal pain, notes the American Headache Society. The Abu-Arafeh and Russell study found that approximately 1/4 of patients with abdominal migraines also report headache symptoms.
Light or Sound Sensitivity
Uncommonly, patients with abdominal migraines experience light or sound sensitivity, reports the American Headache Society. Patients often withdraw to a quiet room and shun social interaction during an attack.
References
- American Headache Society: Migraine Variants in Children
- National Headache Foundation: Abdominal Migraine
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood"; The Prognosis of Childhood Abdominal Migraine; Fiona Dignan, M.B.Ch.B; 2001
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood"; Prevalence and Clinical Features of Abdominal Migraine Compared with Those of Migraine Headache; Ishaq Abu-Arafeh, M.D., George Russell, M.D.; 1995
- "Childhood Headache"; Ishaq Abu-Arafeh, M.D., Editor; 2002
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