Epilepsy and migraine headache: is there a connection?
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the prevalence of migraine headache in pediatric patients with epilepsy and the incidence of these two disorders in the family history.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted on 475 patients with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy between January 2003 and June 2004. The patients were managed in a pediatric neurology outpatient clinic at a major teaching hospital. Cases were selected using the ICD-9-CM definition for epilepsy. Data collected included age, sex, headache, migraine, and family history.


RESULTS
The study revealed a higher prevalence of migraine in epilepsy patients (14.7%) than in the general population (2.7% to 11%). Only 4.7% had a family history of migraine, but 20.6% had a positive family history of epilepsy, supporting current ideas of the genetic etiology of some epilepsies.


CONCLUSIONS
This study specifically addressed epilepsy and migraine in children, but whenever a primary diagnosis is made, the potential for a coexisting disorder should be investigated.
Stevenson
Sharon B
SB
Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St, Slot #512-15, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. stevensonsharon@uams.edu