Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University,
Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye | Department of Pediatric Hematology, Ankara University,
Faculty of Medicine Ankara, Turkiye | Department of Pediatric Molecular Pathology, Ankara
University, Faculty of Medicine Ankara, Turkiye
Note: [] Correspondence: Gülhis Deda, MD, Professor, Ankara
University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology, 06510
Cebeci, Ankara, Turkiye. Tel.: +90 312 362 30 30 (6340); Fax: +90 319 14 40;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: We aimed to investigate whether prothrombotic risk factors are more
common in pediatric patients suffering from migraine than in the general
population and compare the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with
acetylsalicyclic acid (i.e., aspirin) and propranolol to ascertain whether
acetylsalicyclic acid has additional efficacy over propranolol in migraine
patients because of its antiplatelet property. Twenty-eight children aged 6
years through 16 years old affected by migraine with and without aura were
included in the study. Factor V Leiden mutations, prothrombin 20210 mutations
and factor VIII, factor IX, von Willebrand factor, antithrombin III,
fibrinogen, homocysteine and lipoprotein A levels were determined. With the
exception of antithrombin III deficiency, there was no increased prothrombotic
risk factor in our migraine patients as compared to controls. Propranolol was
clearly superior to acetylsalicyclic acid in decreasing the number of attacks.
The duration and severity of headaches were also decreased in the propranolol
group but this was not statistically significant. Therefore, we conclude that
if there is no family history of stroke and/or if the patient does not have
complicated migraine, routine investigation for prothrombotic risk factors is
not indicated in children with migraine. Propranolol can be recommended as a
first line drug for the prophylaxis of childhood migraine.
