Patent Foramen Ovale in Children With Migraine Headaches
Patent Foramen Ovale in Children With Migraine Headaches
This study will be the first to provide data about the relationship between PFO and migraine
 in children. By establishing the actual prevalence, we will better understand if PFO plays a
 role in the occurence of pediatric migraine and, thus, provide the incentive to perform
 additional studies evaluating whether PFO closure is an effective treatment option for
 pediatric migraine. For children with migraine headaches, discovering novel and effective
 treatments would be life altering.
Specific Aim 1 Using contrast transthoracic echocardiography, compare the prevalence of a PFO
 in children with migraine headache with the established incidence of PFO published for the
 general population.

 Specific Aim 2 Using contrast transcranial Doppler, examine the relationship between the
 degree of right to left atrial shunting with the presence or absence of aura in children with
 migraine.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Greater than or equal to six years of age and less than 18 years of age.

 -  Diagnosis of migraine headache based on the International Headache Society Criteria.

 -  English speaking patients (and parent/guardians where appropriate).

 -  Signed informed consent/assent (as appropriate) given by patient, parent or legal
 guardian.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Inability to cooperate with imaging studies.

 -  Known congenital heart disease.

 -  Parent or guardian is unwilling to have their child undergo contrast echocardiography.