A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study of Migraine Headache among Children in Ramadi City Population

Abstract

Background: Migraine headache among children is considered the most common primary headache at this age and the most underdiagnosed and ignored one. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of migraine headache among children aged between 6–18 years in Ramadi city, and to study some precipitating and related factors. Patients and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on children aged between 6–18 years who visited the consultant department of Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood, Iraq, to study the prevalence of migraine headaches during the period from the beginning of January 2025 to the end of June 2025. Data about age, gender, positive family history of migraine, and factors that might precipitate the headache, such as diet (chocolates, cheese, nuts, and coffee), sleep deprivation, heavy exercise, and stressful conditions, were collected using a specially prepared questionnaire. CT scan or MRI was performed for doubtful patients to exclude brain tumors. Results: Among 1062 studied children during this period, 57 (5.4%) were diagnosed with migraine headache. Girls were reported to be more affected than boys, but the difference was not significant. Children aged 15–18 years had a significantly higher prevalence of migraine compared with the control. Forty-six (80.7%) of the diagnosed cases had a positive family history of migraine, and this result was significant compared with the control. Stressful conditions and sleep disturbances were the most frequently reported aggravating factors for headache, while chocolate and coffee intake were the most commonly reported aggravating dietary factors for migraine headache. Conclusion: The study reveals that 5.4% of children in our city had migraine headache. A larger community-based study is recommended to identify undiagnosed children with migraine. Educational sessions in health centers about the symptoms of migraine headache and methods of treatment are recommended.