Application and Effectiveness of Dietary Therapies for Pediatric Migraine

Abstract

Migraine is a representative type of primary headache and a common chronic neurological disease that accounts for a large proportion of headaches in children, adolescents, and adults. Unlike migraine in adulthood, pediatric migraine occurs when brain development is not yet complete. This characteristic may require a new perspective for the treatment and management of pediatric migraine. Dietary therapies, mainly the ketogenic diet and its variants, can have positive effects on pediatric migraine. Several recent studies have revealed that dietary therapies, such as the classic ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet, and low glycemic index diet, improve various neurological diseases by improving dysbiosis of microbiota, reducing proinflammatory cytokines, and increasing mitochondrial function. Nonetheless, the mechanism through which active dietary therapy affects pediatric migraine requires further research. To achieve this, an important role is played by the neuro-nutritional team, which can develop and manage tolerable diets for pediatric migraine patients through mutual collaboration among pediatric neurologists, nurses, and nutritionists.