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Symptoms of a Migraine in Young Girls

People may commonly think of migraine headaches as an adult problem, but migraines can begin in childhood. Children often experience different symptoms than adults, and their migraines may occur without headaches. This can make diagnosis difficult until they are older. For the most part, symptoms of boys and girls are the same.

  1. Headache

    • When a young girl experiences a migraine headache, pain often occurs on both sides instead of the much more common adult symptom of one-sided migraines. The pain might last for a few hours or less.

    Sensitivity

    • A young girl who suddenly wants to lie in bed and has problems dealing with noise and light may be showing indications of a migraine.

    Toddlers and Infants

    • Toddlers and infants are fussy and irritable during a migraine. Toddlers have episodes of ataxia, which is an unsteady, unbalanced or wobbly gait. They might refuse to walk. Baby girls may develop a head tilt that lasts for up to 24 hours.

    Auras and Dizziness

    • Young girls experiencing a migraine may report seeing zigzag lines or sparkles, which are visual auras. They might be disoriented and confused. Girls are more prone to dizziness during migraines than boys, and carsickness may be an early sign.

    Gastrointestinal Symptoms

    • Young girls may experience cycles of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea during a migraine, even when a headache does not occur.

    Puberty Considerations

    • According to Eric Pearlman of Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga., until puberty, about 6 percent of girls and boys have migraines, but once puberty begins, more girls have them. By adulthood, about 18 percent of women and 6 percent of men experience migraines.

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