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Migraine heart link in children | Migraine heart link in children |
(about 1 month later) | |
By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News | By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News |
Children who see flashing lights during a migraine have twice the normal likelihood of having a hole-in-the-heart, a study suggests. | Children who see flashing lights during a migraine have twice the normal likelihood of having a hole-in-the-heart, a study suggests. |
US doctors examined 109 children over six who were migraine sufferers. | US doctors examined 109 children over six who were migraine sufferers. |
About half of those with a type of migraine accompanied by a visual disturbance called an aura had the heart defect, the Journal of Pediatrics reports. | About half of those with a type of migraine accompanied by a visual disturbance called an aura had the heart defect, the Journal of Pediatrics reports. |
The British Heart Foundation called for further research into the link. | The British Heart Foundation called for further research into the link. |
Amy Thompson, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "There could be a number of explanations for this link so further research needs to be carried out before we draw any firm conclusions. | Amy Thompson, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "There could be a number of explanations for this link so further research needs to be carried out before we draw any firm conclusions. |
"Once we understand the relationship in more detail it could signal an improvement in patient care." | "Once we understand the relationship in more detail it could signal an improvement in patient care." |
A number of medical studies have found a link in adults between a type of hole-in-the-heart - known technically as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) - and migraine with aura. | |
This has lead to attempts to treat migraine by surgery to close the hole, when other migraine therapies have failed. | This has lead to attempts to treat migraine by surgery to close the hole, when other migraine therapies have failed. |
Dr Rachel McCandless and colleagues of the University of Utah used a scanning technique known as an echocardiogram to look for the heart defect. | Dr Rachel McCandless and colleagues of the University of Utah used a scanning technique known as an echocardiogram to look for the heart defect. |
Of the children who had migraines with aura, 50% also had the defect. This is nearly double the rate seen in the general population. | Of the children who had migraines with aura, 50% also had the defect. This is nearly double the rate seen in the general population. |
She said she hoped "our study will help guide future research about this difficult problem". | She said she hoped "our study will help guide future research about this difficult problem". |
Around one in 10 people have aura with their migraines. | Around one in 10 people have aura with their migraines. |
Common aura symptoms include visual disturbances such as seeing flashing or flickering lights, numbness, tingling sensations and slurred speech. | Common aura symptoms include visual disturbances such as seeing flashing or flickering lights, numbness, tingling sensations and slurred speech. |
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