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Study Shows That Migraine Prevalence Tripled in Young Children WOODBURY, N.J., Sept. 17, 1996 -- The results of a new study revealed that the prevalence of migraine and other headache disorders in children has tripled from 1974 to 1992. The authors of "Increasing Prevalence of Headache in 7-year-old Schoolchildren," Matti Sillanpaa, M.D., Ph.D., and Pirjo Anttila, M.D., examined the prevalence of headache and migraine among young children in Turku, Finland, in two independent studies. The first study was carried out in 1974 in children starting school, and the second study was executed in 1992, using the same study design, the same age group and a similar population of urban children. Researchers found that the prevalence of migraine tripled from 1.9 percent in 1974 to 5.7 percent in 1992. The study was published in the current issue of Headache, the journal of the American Association for the Study of Headache (AASH). Migraine, a debilitating illness that often begins in childhood, may have a deleterious effect on a child's future growth and productivity. Studies indicate that children lose one million school days every year due to migraine alone. "A history of headache, particularly chronic conditions such as migraine, may set children up for a lifetime of underachievement," said Dr. Richard Lipton, a neurologist and epidemiologist at Montefiore Medical Center and an executive board member of AASH. "This study demonstrates a dramatic increase in the prevalence of migraine in young children, underscoring the need for increased attention to diagnosis and treatment." Researchers do not yet know the reason for the increase. Some speculate at changes in social environment may play a role. The data show that the highest increases were found in schools located in city districts with the highest levels of social instability. For this reason, researchers believe that the community should implement programs to lesson childhood stress. Dr. Keith Campbell, president of AASH and editor of Headache, said the results of the Finland study in children are consistent with U.S. studies in adults. "A recent study demonstrated that migraine prevalence increased 60 percent in adults from 1980 to 1989," Dr. Campbell said. Although most people consider migraine an adult illness it has been diagnosed in an increasing number of children throughout the past two decades. Between 7 and 18 percent of all children experience migraine. More than half of the people who suffer migraine as adults had their first migraine experience during adolescence. The rising prevalence of migraine among children may indicate a rise in the prevalence among adults. The impact of this increase may become evident in decreased productivity and lost work time. It is estimated that lost work time due to migraine costs the U.S. economy more than $5 billion each year. However, greater awareness and education about headache management may help ease the economic and social impact of headache and improve quality of life. Founded in 1959, AASH is the nation's only professional organization for those interested in the study and management of headache and face pain. The Association's objective is to promote the exchange of ideas concerning the cause and treatment of headache and related painful disorders. SOURCE American Association for the Study of Headache E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version