Do young children get migraines?

Q: My 9-year-old son was in bed with a headache and vomiting. Our doctor thinks he might have had a migraine. Is that possible? What can we do to prevent anoth - er one from happening?—Kaitlin V., Portland, Oregon

A: Unfortunately, there’s a good chance your doc is spoton. Migraine headaches are not uncommon in youngsters. Around 5 to 10 percent of all school-age kids get them, and half of all migraine sufferers have their first attack before age 12. Vomiting happens to around 90 percent of children who suffer migraines.

If your primary care doctor or pediatrician can’t recommend a headache specialist, check out the Migraine Research Foundation for info on certified headache specialists in your area ( migraineresearchfoundation.org). Treating childhood migraine can be challenging. Many of the medications that are approved for adults aren’t OK for children under 12. If there is another migraine sufferer in the family—migraine tends to run in families—do not give your child someone else’s medication.

Depending on the frequency and severity of future attacks, there are several levels of treatments that kids can receive: They include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, even ganglion blocks or Botox. But sometimes the best treatment is bedrest in a dark, quiet room; over-thecounter pain relievers seem to work, too.

However, one of the biggest problems for kids who get migraines is the anxiety they feel about when the next attack will come. To identify triggers and see patterns, it’s smart to keep a diary that tracks your child’s food, sleep and activity, and when and how long each headache lasts (there are several apps for that). That way you can identify possible triggers—a specific stress (before a test at school), food, exercise or too much or too little sleep.