Is it true that it is rare for children to have migraines?

[KaylaKayla]

I don't know the differences between particular types of migraines, but I've heard that it is rare for kids to suffer from them. I was diagnosed when I was nine and my doctor said it was uncommon for kids to have them. Also, I was at the dentist one time and she was talking to her assistant about her 8 year old having them and how rare that is. One of my friends who also gets them was diagnosed at 9. Not that it matters, I just don't get it.....

[Kabees]

I've been a migraine sufferer since early childhood. (I'm 29 now). They seemed pretty uncommon, as I always seemed like the only kid in school who got them. Many of the teachers treated me as if I were just making it up because even they didn't think small children could get migraines. They'd tell me to just put my head down on the desk and that it would be better in 5 min. Of course that made it worse.

The migraines were much more frequent when I was youger, until my mid-teens, now I get them only once a month or less, and they're much less intense. I used to get them nearly once a week and they'd last 24-48 hrs each. I was bedridden most of the time they occured.

I don't know, it seemed pretty rare when I was growing up. I never knew any other kids who had migraines like I did.

[KaylaKayla]

ahhh I see, so basically the "rare" thing is just an outdated idea. I just thought it strange that so many people,including myself, have been diagnosed as kids if it were rare...thank ya for the info!

[marileew]

As for the actual frequency of migraines in children... here is a quote from the mayo clinic. The majority of citations I have found agree with this 10% figure... although I have seen figures as low as 3% of the pediatric population to statements that claim children experience migraines equal to adults... although, the 10% figure seems the most frequently cited:

"Migraine headaches are very common in children, affecting more than 10 percent of school-age children. These headaches are severe, episodic and typically located in the front part of a child's head, above the eyes or in the temples. Often the pain is throbbing. A child will feel nauseous and may vomit, and will avoid bright lights, loud noises and strong odors. Sleep often helps reduce the pain." - Mayo Clinic

[marileew]

No! I wouldn't say it is really "rare" at all!! Although, many children who have migraines will suffer from a different type of migraine called an "abdomanal migraine"... where the symptoms are mainly nausea, vomiting and photophobia, without the headache. Although, I have recently read that this older information might not actually be as true as once though and newer studies might be showing that children suffer from the same types of migraines as adults...

Interestingly enough... up until recently migraines were often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches quite frequently. And, this could have seriously effected a lot of the information we have on how many people suffer from migraines and the demographics... so, we must look to newer studies for reliable information.

I was one of those kids who was diagnosed with frequent sinus headaches regardless of clean blood work and clean swabs on a near monthly basis and constantly on antibiotics throughout my entire childhood... my neurologists and current GP laugh now, because it's obvious that they were migraines all along!