Cutaneous allodynia in pediatric and adolescent patients and their mothers: A comparative study

Background: Allodynia in adults with migraine is related to disease duration. In pediatric patients with migraine, the same proportion reported allodynia in the first six months of migraine presentation as in prolonged disease. This study examined a possible association between migraine pediatric allodynia and maternal allodynia. Methods: We interviewed children with migraine first, and then their mothers, regarding allodynia and headache symptoms. We reviewed hospital charts on pediatric medical background and headache symptoms. Mothers and children older than 11 years filled the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results: Ninety-eight children with migraine, mean age 13.49 ± 3.1 years, and their mothers, mean age 43.5 ± 6.2 years were recruited to the study. Pediatric allodynia was associated with maternal allodynia; the latter was reported in 82.8% of children with allodynia versus 35.3% of children without allodynia (p < 0.001). Maternal migraine was reported in 44 (68.7%) of children with allodynia versus 16.3% without allodynia, p < 0.001. No difference was found in Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores, between children with and without allodynia. Conclusions: Pediatric allodynia is associated with maternal migraine. Genetic and environmental factors such as maternal behavior may contribute to reduced pain threshold.