Childhood Migraine and Motion Sickness

The incidence of motion sickness among 222 children in four diagnostic categories--migraine, nonmigraine headaches, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities--was compared. Motion sickness was found to be an associated feature in 45% of the cases of childhood migraine, in contrast to a 5% to 7% incidence in the other groups. Therefore, it is suggested that motion sickness be regarded as an additional reliable minor criterion in the diagnosis of childhood migraine. Hypotheses of common central and peripheral mechanisms underlying both conditions are offered.