Abstract
Background
Riboflavin may prevent migraine episodes; however, there is limited evidence of its
effectiveness in pediatric populations. This study investigated the effectiveness
of riboflavin and clinical predictors of response in children with migraines.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed data from 68 Japanese children with migraines, of whom
52 also exhibited another type of headache. Patients received 10 or 40 mg/day of riboflavin.
We evaluated the average migraine frequency per month as a baseline and after 3 months
of riboflavin therapy to determine the effectiveness and clinical predictors of response.
Results
The frequency of migraine episodes was significantly lower at 3 months than at baseline
(median, [interquartile range], 5.2 (3–7) vs. 4.0 (2–5); p < 0.01). Twenty-five patients
(36.7%) showed 50% or greater reduction in episode frequency (responders), while 18
(26.5%) showed a 25%–50% reduction. We compared responders (n = 25) and non-responders
(n = 43) and found no significant differences in sex, familial history, riboflavin
dose, migraine type (i.e., presence or absence of aura), age at headache onset, or
age at consultation. However, non-responders were more likely to have co-morbid non-migraine
headaches (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–13.33; p = 0.02);
this variable was also significant in a multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio,
3.8; 95% CI, 1.16–12.6; p = 0.03). Of the co-morbid headache types, only tension headaches
were significant (odds ratio, 0.176; 95% CI, 0.04–0.73; p = 0.013). No adverse effects
of riboflavin were identified.
Conclusions
Low-dose riboflavin is safe and modestly effective for migraines in children. It may
be especially beneficial for children without other co-morbid headache types.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 23, 2020
Accepted:
April 8,
2020
Received in revised form:
April 6,
2020
Received:
March 5,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
