Is ‘growing pain’ during childhood an early indicator of migraine?

Key clinical point: Pain in the lower limbs of children and adolescents, often referred to as ‘growing pain’ (GP) by pediatricians and orthopedists, can be a precursor of or a comorbidity linked to migraine.

Major finding: Overall, 76% vs 22% of children and adolescents with vs without GP experienced a primary headache disorder fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine (P < .001). GP persisted in 14% of patients who initially had GP and appeared in 39% of patients who were previously asymptomatic (P = .026).

Study details: This cross-sectional, prospective study included 78 children and adolescents without any headache complaints who were aged between 5 and 10 years and were born to mothers with migraine, of whom 42 experienced GP and 36 patients did not experience GP.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose the funding source. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Source: Silva-Néto RP et al. “Growing pains” in children and adolescents as an early symptom of migraine: A prospective study. Headache. 2023 (Sep 6). doi: 10.1111/head.14608

Key clinical point: Pain in the lower limbs of children and adolescents, often referred to as ‘growing pain’ (GP) by pediatricians and orthopedists, can be a precursor of or a comorbidity linked to migraine.

Major finding: Overall, 76% vs 22% of children and adolescents with vs without GP experienced a primary headache disorder fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine (P < .001). GP persisted in 14% of patients who initially had GP and appeared in 39% of patients who were previously asymptomatic (P = .026).

Study details: This cross-sectional, prospective study included 78 children and adolescents without any headache complaints who were aged between 5 and 10 years and were born to mothers with migraine, of whom 42 experienced GP and 36 patients did not experience GP.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose the funding source. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Source: Silva-Néto RP et al. “Growing pains” in children and adolescents as an early symptom of migraine: A prospective study. Headache. 2023 (Sep 6). doi: 10.1111/head.14608

Key clinical point: Pain in the lower limbs of children and adolescents, often referred to as ‘growing pain’ (GP) by pediatricians and orthopedists, can be a precursor of or a comorbidity linked to migraine.

Major finding: Overall, 76% vs 22% of children and adolescents with vs without GP experienced a primary headache disorder fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine (P < .001). GP persisted in 14% of patients who initially had GP and appeared in 39% of patients who were previously asymptomatic (P = .026).

Study details: This cross-sectional, prospective study included 78 children and adolescents without any headache complaints who were aged between 5 and 10 years and were born to mothers with migraine, of whom 42 experienced GP and 36 patients did not experience GP.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose the funding source. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Source: Silva-Néto RP et al. “Growing pains” in children and adolescents as an early symptom of migraine: A prospective study. Headache. 2023 (Sep 6). doi: 10.1111/head.14608