Migraine with aura is a risk factor for unprovoked seizures in children

Abstract

Objective: Migraine is associated with epilepsy, but the time order and nature of the relationship are unclear. We conducted a population based case control study to clarify the time order to determine whether migraine is a risk factor for epilepsy.

Methods: Migraine symptoms were evaluated in a population-based case-control study of all incident epilepsy in Icelandic children and in matched controls (next two same sex births in the country).

Results: Migraine was associated with a fourfold increased risk for developing epilepsy, an association explained by migraine with aura (odds ratio, 8.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.7-24.3). Migraine without aura did not increase risk for epilepsy.

Interpretation: Children with migraine with aura have a substantial increased risk to develop subsequent epilepsy. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that migraine with aura and migraine without aura may be different disorders.