Advances in paediatric migraine

Headache is one of the most common complaints of children who present to primary care providers. Although parents are often concerned about sinister pathology, the majority of children with headaches have primary headache syndromes, including migraine and tension-type headaches. Diagnostic criteria for children are currently evolving to better reflect the unique challenges of this group of patients. Advances in migraine pharmacotherapy have been achieved through the understanding of serotonin and its role in migraine pathophysiology. Serotonin agonists, commonly known as 'triptans', are the current standard of care in the management of acute migraine in adults. Recent evidence has confirmed that the efficacy of triptans also occurs in children. The present article focuses on recent advances in the areas of epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and pathophysiology of paediatric migraine. In addition, the present article reviews the evidence of management issues, including neuroimaging and the use of triptans in children.