Neurologists in the EEG laboratory of the Hôpital d’Enfants, Dijon, France, have continued their interests and research concerning the association of somnambulism and migraine in childhood. Among 25 children with migraine developing between 8 and 15 years of age, 7(28%) had a history of somnambulism beginning at age 5 to 10 years (mean 7 years). In normal controls and in children with epilepsy, the incidence of somnambulism was only 5 and 6%, respectively. A history of somnambulism may be a useful aid in the diagnosis of migraine in a child with headaches. [1]
COMMENT: The early differentiation of migraine from nonmigraine headache is important (1) to expedite relief by appropriate treatment and (2) to spare the child unnecessary radiological and other extensive testing. This study confirms that of Barabas G et al [2] that showed an incidence of sleep walking of 30% in migraineurs compared to 5 to 6% with learning disabilities. Additional childhood precursors of migraine include cyclic vomiting, abdominal pain, motion sickness, and paroxysmal vertigo.