Positive Health Online

Abstract

ORR and VENKATESWARAN (1)Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON, Canada University of Ottawa, ON, Canada sorr@cheo.on.ca  (2)Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON, Canada University of Ottawa, ON, Canada reviewed the literature on the use of nutraceuticals for paediatric migraine.

Background

The literature on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is expanding. One of the most common conditions for which CAM is studied in the pediatric population is migraine. Nutraceuticals are a form of CAM that is being used for pediatric migraine prophylaxis.

Methodology

A literature search was carried out in order to identify both observational studies and randomized controlled trials on the use of nutraceuticals for the prophylaxis of pediatric migraine. Adult studies on included nutraceuticals were also reviewed.

Results

Thirty studies were reviewed on six different nutraceuticals: butterbur, riboflavin, ginkgolide B, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Conclusion

Overall, the quality of the evidence for the use of nutraceuticals in pediatric migraine prophylaxis is poor. Further research needs to be done in order to study the efficacy of nutraceuticals for the prophylaxis of pediatric migraine.

References

Orr SL(1) and Venkateswaran S(2). Nutraceuticals in the prophylaxis of pediatric migraine: Evidence-based review and recommendations. Cephalalgia. 34(8):568-583. [Epub ahead of print]. Jan 17 2014.