Diet and Childhood migraine

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Pediatr Neurol. 2003 Jan;28(1):9-15.

The diet factor in pediatric and adolescent migraine.

Millichap JG, Yee MM.

Division of Neurology, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago,

Illinois 60614, USA.

Diet can play an important role in the precipitation of headaches in

children and adolescents with migraine. The diet factor in pediatric

migraine is frequently neglected in favor of preventive drug therapy.

The list of foods, beverages, and additives that trigger migraine

includes cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, hot dogs, monosodium

glutamate, aspartame, fatty foods, ice cream, caffeine withdrawal,

and alcoholic drinks, especially red wine and beer. Underage drinking

is a significant potential cause of recurrent headache in today's

adolescent patients. Tyramine, phenylethylamine, histamine, nitrites,

and sulfites are involved in the mechanism of food intolerance

headache. Immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy is an infrequent

cause. Dietary triggers affect phases of the migraine process by

influencing release of serotonin and norepinephrine, causing

vasoconstriction or vasodilatation, or by direct stimulation of

trigeminal ganglia, brainstem, and cortical neuronal pathways.

Treatment begins with a headache and diet diary and the selective

avoidance of foods presumed to trigger attacks. A universal migraine

diet with simultaneous elimination of all potential food triggers is

generally not advised in practice. A well-balanced diet is

encouraged, with avoidance of fasting or skipped meals. Long-term

prophylactic drug therapy is appropriate only after exclusion of

headache-precipitating trigger factors, including dietary factors.

Publication Types:

Review

Review Literature

PMID: 12657413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]