The association between gastro-oesophageal reflux and migraine in the paediatric population: a multicentre case-control study.

Infantile regurgitation is one of the most common discomforts in the first months of life. Infantile colic and, in older children, functional dyspepsia have been linked to migraine. To date, this is the first study to investigate a possible association between infantile regurgitation and primary headaches in children. This is a case-control study of 195 children aged 6-17 years, with primary headache (migraine, or tension type headache) in 5 European paediatric hospitals. The control group is composed of 240 same-aged children attending with minor injuries during the same period - February 1st 2020 to December 1st 2020. A structured questionnaire identified a history of infantile regurgitation and other functional gastrointestinal disorders for case and control participants. The outcome was the difference in the prevalence of infantile regurgitation among children with or without a diagnosis of primary headache. The analysis showed a significant association between infantile regurgitation and migraine (OR = 1.88, CI 95 = 1.01-3.4, p = 0.04). No association was found between infantile regurgitation and tension type headache (p = 0.33). Subgroup analysis confirmed that the association was only significant for migraine without aura (OR = 2.3, CI 95 = 1.2-4.4, p = 0.01). In a further subgroup analysis, the presence of functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal migraine was associated with migraine without aura. CONCLUSION: The presence of migraine among children aged 6-17 was associated with a history of infantile regurgitation. Additional longitudinal studies are required to confirm whether infantile regurgitation could be considered as a precursor of migraine. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Children suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders are more likely to be suffering from migraine and tension-type headache as well. • Children suffering from primary headache are more likely to have had infantile colic in their first six month of life. WHAT IS NEW: • It is the first study to find an association between migraine and infantile regurgitation in children. • These findings could have an impact on the diagnosis and therapeutics of both migraine and infantile regurgitation.

Therapeutic Options for Childhood Absence Epilepsy.

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is a common pediatric generalized epileptic syndrome. Although it is traditionally considered as a benign self-limited condition, the apparent benign nature of this syndrome has been revaluated in recent years. This is mainly due to the increasing evidence that children with CAE can present invalidating neuropsychological comorbidities that will affect them up to adulthood. Moreover, a percentage of affected children can develop drug-resistant forms of CAE. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent studies and new concepts concerning CAE treatment, in particular concerning drug-resistant forms of CAE. A Pubmed search was undertaken to identify all articles concerning management and treatment of CAE, including articles written between 1979 and 2021. Traditional anticonvulsant therapy of CAE that is still in use is based on three antiepileptic drugs: ethosuximide which is the drug of choice, followed by valproic acid and lamotrigine. In the case of first line treatment failure, after two monotherapies it is usual to start a bi-therapy. In the case of absence seizures that are refractory to traditional treatment, other antiepileptic drugs may be introduced such as levetiracetam, topiramate and zonisamide.

How to improve CPAP failure prediction in preterm infants with RDS: a pilot study.

We aimed to test the diagnostic accuracy in predicting continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) by integrating oxygen saturation (SpO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (SF ratio) with the measurement of peak velocity of the right diaphragmatic excursions (RD-PV), during the inspiration (I-Peak) and expiratory (E-Peak) phases, performed by pulsed-wave Tissue Doppler imaging. This is a prospective, observational pilot study conducted over a 2-year period. Neonates at ≤ 32 weeks gestation supported by early CPAP were eligible. Natural surfactant was delivered via a minimally invasive technique. We performed serial measurements of SF ratio and RD-PV during the early post-natal hours to test the accuracy in predicting surfactant administration as well as invasive ventilation support within 72 h from birth because of the RDS worsening. Of 56 preterm infants enrolled, 34 (61%) failed CPAP support. SF ratio showed a significant inverse relationship with both Silverman-Andersen score at birth (rho = - 0.417; P = .001) and RD-PV [E-Peak] (rho = - 0.361; P = .007). We achieved a high accuracy in predicting CPAP failure (AUC = 95%; 95% CI, 89-100%) by integrating gender, SF ratio, and RD-PV [E-Peak] at the restricted, multivariate analysis.Conclusions: SF ratio and RD-PV, as measured by pulsed-wave Tissue Doppler, may help physicians to improve their confidence in optimizing therapeutic options in preterm infants with RDS. What is Known: • Continuous positive airway pressure is the recommended first-line treatment for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants, but failure rates remain unacceptably high. • Choosing the optimal treatment in terms of non-invasive ventilation effectiveness and timeliness of surfactant administration for these patients is often challenging, also due to our inability to identify a worsening respiratory failure. What is New: • The integration of oxygen saturation, as measured by SpO2/FiO2, with right diaphragm peak motion velocities, as measured by pulsed-wave tissue Doppler, allows for high prediction accuracy of non-invasive ventilation support failure in premature infants at risk of respiratory distress syndrome. • These measurements may help physicians in providing optimal supportive therapy for these patients.

Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernia in Children by Handlebar Injury: When to Suspect, Scan, and Call the Surgeon.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) can be defined as a herniation through disrupted musculature and fascia associated with blunt trauma. They are seen in approximately 1% of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Data on TAWH in the pediatric population are very limited and principally based on case reports and a few case series. Past reports have indicated that the presence of the "handlebar sign" confers an increased risk of internal injury. Concomitant internal injuries are reported with an incidence between 25% and 70%, and occult hernias may also occur and are usually detected only by abdominal computed tomography scan and ultrasonography. The treatment of TAWH consists in surgical exploration through closure of the defect. We describe 2 cases of TAWH due to blunt impact by bicycle handlebars that occurred in our department with a brief literature review. Our objectives are to describe the variable clinical presentations and management of these events. We hope to provide a useful tool for the clinician to increase early clinical suspicion and detection of this insidious injury.

Right Diaphragmatic Peak Motion Velocities on Pulsed Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging in Neonates: Method, Reproducibility, and Reference Values.

OBJECTIVES: To test the reproducibility and report the reference ranges of the right diaphragmatic excursion's peak velocities recorded by pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging in healthy term neonates. METHODS: We formerly assessed intraobserver and interobserver variability of the method for the right hemidiaphragm in a small group of neonates, including ventilated neonates. We did not attempt to test the approach for the left hemidiaphragm because of the recognized high failure rate of visualization. Next, we recorded the peak velocities of both hemidiaphragms throughout inspiration and expiration in 229 healthy term neonates near birth to establish weight-dependent reference ranges for the measurements. RESULTS: The study population included 116 male and 113 female neonates. The reproducibility of the technique was excellent even in neonates supported by ventilation. We always recorded the right diaphragmatic peak velocities in the normative study group, whereas the left ones were only recorded in 110 of 229 (48%) and 148 of 229 (65%) neonates from the anterior and lateral views, respectively. The modality of delivery and sex showed no influence on diaphragmatic kinetics. The mean inspiratory peak velocities ± SD were 1.4 ± 0.2 cm/s for the right hemidiaphragm and 1.5 ± 0.3 cm/s for the left hemidiaphragm. The mean expiratory peak velocities were 1.3 ± 0.2 cm/s for the right hemidiaphragm and 1.4 ± 0.3 cm/s for the left hemidiaphragm. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of right diaphragmatic kinetics as assessed by pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging was found to be a reliable technique. Its clinical applicability for the prompt diagnosis and effective management of neonatal respiratory failure deserves further investigation.

Buccal Midazolam Compared With Rectal Diazepam Reduces Seizure Duration in Children in the Outpatient Setting.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are very common in children. They frequently happen in outpatient settings, in the presence of caregivers who are not always trained in their management. First-line rescue therapy is based on benzodiazepine, historically diazepam. Recent studies have investigated the use of other benzodiazepines in the treatment of acute seizures. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the management of pediatric seizures carried out by parents or caregivers in an outpatient setting and to evaluate the differences in terms of immediate management and subsequent outcome when comparing the use of rectal diazepam versus buccal midazolam. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records of children consulting for seizures at the Robert Debré Pediatric Emergency Department of Paris, France, over 18 months were analyzed to evaluate seizure characteristics, management by caregivers, received treatments, and the admission rate. RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-four patients resulted eligible for the study. The interview was completed for 135 children who presented a further episode of seizure after inclusion. In the subgroup of children receiving buccal midazolam, compared with the subgroup receiving intrarectal diazepam, seizure duration was significantly shorter (10.3 vs 48.4 minutes, P = 0.0004), and the risk of a status epilepticus decreased (1 vs 11, P = 0.0008). The admission rate was not different between the 2 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, buccal midazolam seems to have some advantages compared with rectal diazepam in terms of feasibility in an outpatient setting and in terms of reduced seizure duration.

Valproic Acid and Epilepsy: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Evidences.

After more than a century from its discovery, valproic acid (VPA) still represents one of the most efficient antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Pre and post-synaptic effects of VPA depend on a very broad spectrum of actions, including the regulation of ionic currents and the facilitation of GABAergic over glutamatergic transmission. As a result, VPA indirectly modulates neurotransmitter release and strengthens the threshold for seizure activity. However, even though participating to the anticonvulsant action, such mechanisms seem to have minor impact on epileptogenesis. Nonetheless, VPA has been reported to exert anti-epileptogenic effects. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone deacetylases (HDACs), BDNF and GDNF modulation are pivotal to orientate neurons toward a neuroprotective status and promote dendritic spines organization. From such broad spectrum of actions comes constantly enlarging indications for VPA. It represents a drug of choice in child and adult with epilepsy, with either general or focal seizures, and is a consistent and safe IV option in generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Moreover, since VPA modulates DNA transcription through HDACs, recent evidences point to its use as an anti-nociceptive in migraine prophylaxis, and, even more interestingly, as a positive modulator of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Furthermore, VPA-induced neuroprotection is under investigation for benefit in stroke and traumatic brain injury. Hence, VPA has still got its place in epilepsy, and yet deserves attention for its use far beyond neurological diseases. In this review, we aim to highlight, with a translational intent, the molecular basis and the clinical indications of VPA.

Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever without a Source Who Are at Risk for Severe Bacterial Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Among neonates and infants <3 months of age with fever without a source (FWS), 5% to 15% of cases are patients with fever caused by a serious bacterial infection (SBI). To favour the differentiation between low- and high-risk infants, several algorithms based on analytical and clinical parameters have been developed. The aim of this review is to describe the management of young infants with FWS and to discuss the impact of recent knowledge regarding FWS management on clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed was used to search for all of the studies published over the last 35 years using the keywords: "fever without source" or "fever of unknown origin" or "meningitis" or "sepsis" or "urinary tract infection" and "neonate" or "newborn" or "infant <90 days of life" or "infant <3 months". RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The selection of neonates and young infants who are <3 months old with FWS who are at risk for SBI remains a problem without a definitive solution. The old Rochester criteria remain effective for identifying young infants between 29 and 60 days old who do not have severe bacterial infections (SBIs). However, the addition of laboratory tests such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) can significantly improve the identification of children with SBI. The approach in evaluating neonates is significantly more complicated, as their risk of SBIs, including bacteremia and meningitis, remains relevant and none of the suggested approaches can reduce the risk of dramatic mistakes. In both groups, the best antibiotic must be carefully selected considering the clinical findings, the laboratory data, the changing epidemiology, and increasing antibiotic resistance of the most common infectious bacteria.

Point of care ultrasonography in the pediatric emergency department.

IMPORTANCE: Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) allows to obtain real-time images to correlate with the patient's presenting signs and symptoms. It can be used by various specialties and may be broadly divided into diagnostic and procedural applications. OBJECTIVE: We aimed at reviewing current knowledge on the use of POCUS in Pediatric Emergency Departments (PEDs). FINDINGS: US diagnostic capacity in paediatric patients with suspected pneumonia has been studied and debated whereas literature regarding the usefulness of point-of-care echocardiography in the pediatric setting is still limited. Similarly, Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has become a standard procedure in adult emergency medicine but it is still not well codified in the pediatric practice. Concerning procedural applications of POCUS we identified 4 main groups: peripheral vascular access, bladder catheterizations, identification and drainage of abnormal fluid collections and foreign body identification. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Bedside emergency ultrasound is routinely used by adult emergency physicians and in the last 10 years its application is recognized and applied in PED. Pediatric emergency physicians are encouraged to familiarize with POCUS as it is a safe technology and can be extremely helpful in performing diagnosis, managing critical situations and guiding procedures, which results in globally improving pediatric patients care.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of a patent urachus associated with a patent omphalomesenteric duct in a newborn: A case report.

RATIONAL: Patent urachus (PU) is due to an incomplete obliteration of the urachus, whereas patent omphalomesenteric duct (POMD) is due to an incomplete obliteration of the vitelline duct. These anomalies are very rarely associated with one another. We describe a case of a newborn with a PU associated with a POMD, who was diagnosed by an abdominal ultrasound (US) and laparoscopy, and managed with a minimally invasive excision. PATIENT CONCERN: A 28-day-old male neonate was referred to our hospital to investigate a delay in umbilical healing, with blood-mucinous material spillage for 3 weeks prior to the referral. The baby had no symptoms and was in good general health. DIAGNOSIS: After a thorough cleaning of the umbilical stump, a clear granuloma with a suspected fistula was evident under the seat of the ligature of the stump. An abdominal US examination revealed the formation of a full communication, starting below the umbilical stump and developing along the anterior abdominal wall that connected with the bladder dome. The US also revealed a tubular formation containing air, which was compatible with POMD, in the deepest portion of the same umbilical stump. Considering these findings, the rare diagnosis of a PU associated with a POMD duct was suspected. INTERVENTIONS: The child was then hospitalized for an elective laparoscopy that confirmed the US picture, and a minimally invasive excision was performed. OUTCOME: The postoperative course was favorable and uneventful. LESSONS: Our case underlines the importance of evaluating all persisting umbilical lesions without delay when conventional pharmacological therapies fail. Using a US as the first approach is valuable and should be supported by laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis; a minimally invasive excision of the remnants appears to be an effective therapeutic approach.

Coexistence of childhood absence epilepsy and benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes: A case series.

AIM: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) are the most common forms of childhood epilepsy. Recent studies in animal models suggest that the two phenotypes may represent a neurobiological continuum. Although the coexistence of CAE and BECTS has been reported, this issue remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the electro-clinical characteristics of a group of children with contemporary or subsequent features of absence seizures and focal seizures consistent with BECTS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic record review from 8 epilepsy centres was used to identify 11 subjects, 5 females and 6 males, with electro-clinical documented consecutive or contemporary coexistence of CAE and BECTS. RESULTS: Patient's age ranged between 7.8 and 17.3 years. Four out of 11 patients presented concomitant features of both syndromes, whereas the remaining 7 experienced the two syndromes at different times. CONCLUSIONS: Although CAE and BECTS are clearly defined syndromes and considered very different in terms of their pathophysiology, they share some features (such as similar age of onset, overall good prognosis), and can occur in the same patient. The long term prognosis of these patients seems to be good with an excellent response to anticonvulsant therapy.

Childhood absence epilepsy and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes: a narrative review analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown a possible coexistence of absence seizures with other forms of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the possible contemporary or subsequent presence of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) in pediatric epileptic patients. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed systematic search indexed for MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE was undertaken to identify studies in children including articles written between 1996 and 2015. Retrospective studies, meta-analysis and case reports were included. The list of references of all the relevant articles was also studied. The date of our last search was December 2015. RESULTS: Review of the literature revealed 19 cases, 8 females and 11 males, reporting a consecutive or contemporary coexistence of CAE and BECTS within the same patients. Patient's age ranged between 4 and 12 years. Three out of 19 patients presented concomitant features of both syndromes, whereas 16 patients experienced the two syndromes at different times. CONCLUSIONS: BECTS and CAE may be pathophysiologically related, and the two epileptic phenotypes may indicate a neurobiological continuum. Further studies are needed to elucidate a probable genetic or functional link between partial and primarily generalized electro-clinical patterns in idiopathic childhood epilepsies.

Red reflex examination in neonates: evaluation of 3 years of screening.

PURPOSE: Red reflex is a test that can detect potentially life-threatening ocular abnormalities. In 2012, a red reflex screening campaign was started in Umbria, central Italy. In this study, we report the results of the first 3 years (2012-2014) of screening. METHODS: Red reflex screening was carried out in the 11 regional birth centres. On the first level, the test was performed on all newborns within the third day of life. A pathologic test was an indication for referral to the nearest Ophthalmology Hospital Department (II level). Patients were referred to the Perugia University Ophthalmology Hospital Department if an ulterior evaluation or if treatment was necessary (III level). RESULTS: Between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014, 22,884 children were born in Umbria and of these, 22,272 (97.3%) were tested with the red reflex. Four hundred and sixty-one (4.83%) neonates resulted having a positive or equivocal test and were sent to II level. Three of these cases (0.01%) were affected by an important eye disease, in particular two patients (0.009%) presented congenital cataract and one patient (0.005%) presented retinoblastoma. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with the previous findings, although reports on red reflex screening are sporadic in the literature. Despite the high number of false positives, the red reflex test has proven to be a useful, easy to perform and low cost test for the early detection of congenital low vision diseases, and our data confirm that it must become part of normal neonatal assessments.

Neuropsychological profiles and outcomes in children with new onset frontal lobe epilepsy.

Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) is the second most frequent type of localization-related epilepsy, and it may impact neurocognitive functioning with high variability. The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment in affected children remains poorly defined. This report outlines the neuropsychological profiles and outcomes in children with new onset FLE, and the impact of epilepsy-related factors, such as seizure frequency and antiepileptic drug (AED) load, on the neurocognitive development. Twenty-three consecutive children (15 males and 8 females) with newly diagnosed cryptogenic FLE were enrolled; median age at epilepsy onset was 7 years (6-9.6 years). They underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation and neuropsychological assessment before starting AED treatment (time 0) and after one year of treatment (time 1). Twenty age-matched patients affected by idiopathic generalized epilepsy (10 male and 10 females) and eighteen age-matched healthy subjects (9 males and 9 females) were enrolled as controls and underwent the same assessment. All patients with FLE showed a significant difference in almost all assessed cognitive domains compared with controls, mainly in frontal functions and memory. At time 1, patients were divided into two groups according to epilepsy-related factors: group 1 (9 patients) with persisting seizures despite AED polytherapy, and group 2 (14 patients) with good seizure control in monotherapy. A significant difference was highlighted in almost all subtests in group 1 compared with group 2, both at time 0 and at time 1. In children with FLE showing a broad range of neurocognitive impairments, the epilepsy-related factors mostly related to a worse neurocognitive outcome are poor seizure control and the use of AED polytherapy, suggesting that epileptic discharges may have a negative impact on the functioning of the involved cerebral regions.

Association between functional gastrointestinal disorders and migraine in children and adolescents: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Functional gastrointestinal disorders and migraine are both common causes of medical attention. We have previously shown an association between migraine and infant colic. In this case-control study, we aimed to establish whether there is an association between migraine and other functional gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents. METHODS: We included children and adolescents aged 6-17 years presenting to the emergency department of four tertiary hospitals in France and Italy. Patients diagnosed with either migraine or tension-type headache by the hospital's paediatric neurologist were enrolled as cases. Patients presenting to the emergency department with minor trauma and no history of recurrent headache were enrolled as controls. Investigators masked to a patient's group allocation diagnosed functional gastrointestinal disorders using the Rome III diagnostic criteria. Univariable and multivariable analyses were done to identify specific disorders and baseline factors associated with migraines and tension-type headache. FINDINGS: Between Nov 1, 2014, and Jan 31, 2015, we enrolled 648 controls and 424 cases (257 patients with migraine and 167 with tension-type headache). 83 (32%) children and adolescents in the migraine group were diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders compared with 118 (18%) in the control group (p<0·0001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a significant association between migraine and three gastrointestinal disorders: functional dyspepsia (odds ratio 10·76, 95% CI 3·52-32·85; p<0·0001), irritable bowel syndrome (3·47, 1·81-6·62; p=0·0002), and abdominal migraine (5·87, 1·95-17·69; p=0·002). By contrast, there was an inverse association between migraine and functional constipation (0·34, 0·14-0·84, p=0·02). 41 (25%) participants with tension-type headache had functional gastrointestinal disorders, which did not significantly differ from the prevalence of these disorders in the control group (p=0·07); no significant association was noted between any functional gastrointestinal disease and tension-type headaches. INTERPRETATION: Three abdominal-pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders were associated with migraine in children and adolescents. These findings are of value to the diagnosis and management of these common diseases. Future studies should investigate whether antimigraine drugs are of benefit in functional gastrointestinal disorders. FUNDING: None.

Paediatric arterial ischemic stroke: acute management, recent advances and remaining issues.

Stroke is a rare disease in childhood with an estimated incidence of 1-6/100.000. It has an increasingly recognised impact on child mortality along with its outcomes and effects on quality of life of patients and their families. Clinical presentation and risk factors of paediatric stroke are different to those of adults therefore it can be considered as an independent nosological entity. The relative rarity, the age-related peculiarities and the variety of manifested symptoms makes the diagnosis of paediatric stroke extremely difficult and often delayed. History and clinical examination should investigate underlying diseases or predisposing factors and should take into account the potential territoriality of neurological deficits and the spectrum of differential diagnosis of acute neurological accidents in childhood. Neuroimaging (in particular diffusion weighted magnetic resonance) is the keystone for diagnosis of paediatric stroke and other investigations might be considered according to the clinical condition. Despite substantial advances in paediatric stroke research and clinical care, many unanswered questions remain concerning both its acute treatment and its secondary prevention and rehabilitation so that treatment recommendations are mainly extrapolated from studies on adult population. We have tried to summarize the pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of arterial ischemic stroke in children and the most recent international guidelines and practical directions on how to recognise and manage it in paediatric emergency.

Dirofilariasis Mimicking an Acute Scrotum.

Human infections caused by Dirofilaria repens have been reported in many areas of the world. We describe a case of a 3-year-old child with an intrascrotal mass caused by D repens mimicking an acute scrotum. This represents the first case of scrotal dirofilariasis described in pediatric age with such an unusual presentation.

Pediatric migraine and episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine.

IMPORTANCE: Migraine is a common disorder and a frequent cause of medical consultation in children. Many childhood episodic syndromes have been described as common precursors of migraine. OBJECTIVE: To review current knowledge on migraine and childhood episodic syndromes, and to discuss future directions for research and clinical practice. FINDINGS: For most children it is difficult to describe a headache and fully verbalize symptoms such as photophobia and phonophobia that must be inferred from behaviour. Classical migraine features are rare before the age of 6 years, but some migraine-related syndromes have been described. Benign paroxysmal torticollis of infancy, benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood, cyclic vomiting syndrome and abdominal migraine are currently classified as childhood episodic syndromes, and therefore common precursors of migraine. A strong association between infantile colic and migraine has recently been reported. There are similarities between children with episodic syndromes and children with migraine, regarding social and demographic factors, precipitating and relieving factors, and accompanying gastrointestinal, neurologic, and vasomotor features. The real pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine are not fully understood. Current data obtained through molecular and functional studies provide a complex model in which vascular and neurologic events cooperate in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks. Genetic factors causing disturbances in neuronal ion channels, make a migraineur more sensitive to multiple trigger factors that activate the nociception cascade. The expanding knowledge on migraine genetics and pathophysiology may be applicable to childhood episodic syndromes. Migraine preventive strategies are particularly important in children, and could be beneficial in childhood episodic syndromes. Nonspecific analgesics like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are widely used in pediatrics to control pain and have been found to be effective also in the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Triptans are the specific fist-line drugs for acute migraine treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Migraine phenotype differs somewhat in the developing brain, and childhood episodic syndromes may arise before typical migraine headache. Diagnosing pediatric migraine may be difficult because of children's language and cognitive abilities. The risk of underestimating migraine in pediatric age is high. An adequate diagnosis is important to maintain a good quality of life and to avoid inappropriate therapy.