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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Toddler with hydrocephalus possibly having migraines?
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Toddler with hydrocephalus possibly having migraines?
by TeacherMom, Dec 28, 2002 12:00AM
Here is a brief medical history of my 3 year old daughter:
1. Full term baby, Grade IV IVH (Both sides) at birth with spillage into the thalamus.
2. VP shunt at 3 weeks old; revised at 14 months old. Loss of speech was signal of shunt malfunction.
3. IV nerve palsy in both eyes. Eye muscle surgery on both eyes (Left eye at 17 months, rigth eye at 31 months).
4. Very normal child taking no medications. Average or above average in all areas of development (cognitive, physical, social, emotional).
5. Started having "migraines" at 34 months old (4 months ago). She turns very pale and gets dark circles under her eyes, then complains of pain between her eyes. Sometimes she vomits. She always sleeps for 3-4 hours afterwards and wakes up back to normal. The frequency ranges from 1 every two to three weeks all the way to 2 a day. She seems to have them when the weather changes (cold fronts).
Our Neurosurgeron says he feels they are migraines and said if they continued that she should be seen by a neurologist. What can a neurologist do for a 3 year old with migraines? Could they be caused from the last eye muscle surgery? Could it be shunt related? I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to give her medications that she doesn't need.
1. Full term baby, Grade IV IVH (Both sides) at birth with spillage into the thalamus.
2. VP shunt at 3 weeks old; revised at 14 months old. Loss of speech was signal of shunt malfunction.
3. IV nerve palsy in both eyes. Eye muscle surgery on both eyes (Left eye at 17 months, rigth eye at 31 months).
4. Very normal child taking no medications. Average or above average in all areas of development (cognitive, physical, social, emotional).
5. Started having "migraines" at 34 months old (4 months ago). She turns very pale and gets dark circles under her eyes, then complains of pain between her eyes. Sometimes she vomits. She always sleeps for 3-4 hours afterwards and wakes up back to normal. The frequency ranges from 1 every two to three weeks all the way to 2 a day. She seems to have them when the weather changes (cold fronts).
Our Neurosurgeron says he feels they are migraines and said if they continued that she should be seen by a neurologist. What can a neurologist do for a 3 year old with migraines? Could they be caused from the last eye muscle surgery? Could it be shunt related? I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want to give her medications that she doesn't need.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Dec 30, 2002 12:00AM
Glad that your daughter has overcome all of the complications she had at birth. Please keep in mind that I have not personally examined your daughter nor have I reviewed her clinical history in detail. Many of the children with migraines coming through our pediatric clinic have the same type of symptoms as your daughter: they become pale, get dark circles under the eyes, and have resolution of the symptoms after sleeping. They are however, quite frequent. Dr. Rothner here at the clinic is one of the nation's experts on pediatric headaches/migraines. If you are in the area, consider bringing her for a formal checkup. Otherwise, one of things he recommends is benadryl (age/weight appropriate dose) for when she has the headache so she can sleep it off as well ibuprofen (again also age/weight appropriate). Given that she has them rather frequently, she may also need preventive meds to take daily. Talk to your pediatrician about getting a pediatric neurologist on board. Again, consider Dr. Rothner if you are in the area. Good luck.
Member Comments (2)
by TeacherMom, Dec 30, 2002 12:00AM
Could this be autonomic seizures instead of migraines?
