In children, what is a distinguishing feature of migraine attacks compared to adults?

In children, one of the distinguishing features of migraine attacks is that headaches are more commonly bilateral compared to adults. While both children and adults can experience bilateral headaches, children are more likely to report a headache that affects both sides of the head during a migraine attack. In adults, migraines are more often unilateral, affecting one hemisphere of the head.

This bilateral characteristic in children can be attributed to developmental differences in the way their nervous systems process pain and may also relate to the way migraines present in the pediatric population. Moreover, children might not be able to articulate the location of the pain as effectively as adults, leading to a higher likelihood of reporting bilateral headaches.

Understanding this feature is critical in diagnosing and managing migraines in pediatric patients effectively. It helps healthcare providers to differentiate between types of headaches and tailor appropriate treatment strategies for younger patients.