Food intake before migraine attacks in children.

A questionnaire survey of 120 children with migraine showed an average age of onset of 5.15 years, an equal sex ratio under nine years, and a positive family history in 79 per cent. Eye symptoms (42 per cent) and headaches (32 per cent) heralded an attack, with abdominal pain and vomiting later and less frequent. Visual aura was not recognized under five years, but occurred in 52 per cent of the 13 to 15 year age group. Most attacks occurred on schooldays and 82 per cent were over within two days.The 24-hour food intake before an attack was compared with the food intake seven days later when no migraine occurred. This suggested that fasting (41 per cent) or specific foods (38 per cent) could have been responsible for many of the attacks.