Transnasal Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for the Preventive Treatment of Chronic Daily Headache in Adolescents

Advances in the Acute and Preventive Treatment of Pediatric Migraine

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Headaches are common in children and adolescents. Treatments for debilitating migraine are often not FDA approved or lack evidence of efficacy for children. This narrative review looks at the evidence for acute and preventative pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of pediatric migraine, as well as reviewing any recent or ongoing clinical trials.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies have been published on pharmacological treatments for headache, as well as non-pharmacological treatments. Recent findings in pediatric migraine using onabotulinumtoxinA, calcitonin gene related peptide antagonists, interventional procedures, and devices are reviewed. Pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic approaches for the prevention and treatment of migraine show safety and efficacy data that is promising. These treatments should be incorporated in a multi-modal approach to the management of pediatric migraine. Continued studies, prospective and randomized, are needed to further assess these newer treatments for migraine in the pediatric setting.

Outpatient Approach to Resistant and Refractory Migraine in Children and Adolescents: a Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Migraine is one of the top reasons for consulting a pediatric neurologist. Although the majority of children and adolescents who receive evidence-based first-line interventions for migraine will improve substantially, a subset of patients develop resistant or refractory migraine.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review, we summarize the level of evidence for a variety of acute and preventive treatment options to consider in children and adolescents with resistant or refractory migraine. We describe the level of evidence for interventional procedures (onabotulinumtoxinA injections, greater occipital and other nerve blocks), neuromodulation (single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, external trigeminal nerve stimulation, remote electrical neuromodulation, and non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway antagonists (anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies and gepants), psychological therapies, and manual therapies (acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, massage and physical therapy, and spinal manipulation).

Emerging Pharmacological Treatments for Migraine in the Pediatric Population

Headaches in children and adolescents have high incidence and prevalence rates, with consequent elevated disability costs to individuals and the community. Pediatric migraine is a disorder with substantial clinical differences compared to the adult form. Few clinical trials have been performed specifically on primary headache in pediatric populations using acute and preventative treatments, often with conflicting findings. The limited high-quality data on the effectiveness of treatments are also due to the high placebo effect, in terms of reductions in both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in the pediatric population. The recent introduction of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway inhibitors and ditans is changing the treatment of migraine, but the majority of the data are still limited to adulthood. Thus, few drugs have indications for migraine treatment in the pediatric age group, and limited evidence gives guidance as to the choice of pharmacotherapy. Herein, we review the current evidence of pharmacological treatments and ongoing clinical trials on acute and preventative treatments in the pediatric population with migraine.

Emerging Pharmacological Treatments for Migraine in the Pediatric Population

Headaches in children and adolescents have high incidence and prevalence rates, with consequent elevated disability costs to individuals and the community. Pediatric migraine is a disorder with substantial clinical differences compared to the adult form. Few clinical trials have been performed specifically on primary headache in pediatric populations using acute and preventative treatments, often with conflicting findings. The limited high-quality data on the effectiveness of treatments are also due to the high placebo effect, in terms of reductions in both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in the pediatric population. The recent introduction of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway inhibitors and ditans is changing the treatment of migraine, but the majority of the data are still limited to adulthood. Thus, few drugs have indications for migraine treatment in the pediatric age group, and limited evidence gives guidance as to the choice of pharmacotherapy. Herein, we review the current evidence of pharmacological treatments and ongoing clinical trials on acute and preventative treatments in the pediatric population with migraine.