Abdominal migraine is a disorder primarily of children.
Patients presents with episodes of abdominal pain without an accompanying headache.
Ability to confirm diagnosis is difficult, as there are no features specific for the diagnosis.
The condition is rare in adults.
Children with abdominal migraines may have migraine headaches as adults.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, a family history of migraines, and the ruling out of other possible causes.
Common migraine triggers may precipitate abdominal migraines.
Symptoms of AM:
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Light sensitivity
Diagnosis Edit
Diagnosis was considered controversial, but is now accepted as a common cause of chronic abdominal pain in children.
Diagnostic criteria:
A. At least 5 attacks fulfilling criteria B-D.
B. Attacks of abdominal pain lasting 1-72 hours
C. Abdominal pain has all of the following characteristics:
1. midline location, periumbilical or poorly localized
2. dull/ sore quality
3. moderate or severe intensity
D. During abdominal pain at least 2 of the following:
1. loss of appetite
2. nausea
3. vomiting
4. pallor
E. Not attributed to another disorder
Abdominal migraines are a type of functional pain.