(P25-008-25) Role of Dietary Counselling Along With Standard Line of Treatment for Paediatric Migraine- an Observational Study

Objectives: A study on the role of dietary counselling in conjunction with standard treatment for paediatric migraines

Methods: Patients aged 10-18 years were recruited when they came for medical check-ups for migraine attacks. Dietary history was taken to identify ones consuming junk food regularly.

First line treatment along with dietary counselling was given to all patients, Tab Topiramate 1 mg/kg OD for 3 months. Patients requiring second line of treatment were given so accordingly, Tab Propranolol 20 mg OD for 3 months. Number of migraine attacks and calorie deficit were duly noted.

Results: The mean BMI of the study participants was 16.08 ± 1.83 kg/m2.

24% of the children had at least 2 episodes of migraine a week, 40% had 3 episodes and 36% had at least 4 episodes.

The mean calorie deficit among the children who regularly consumed junk food was 26.7 ± 3.3 before dietary counselling which reduced to 20.4 ± 1.9. Among the children who did not consume junk food, the mean calorie deficit reduced from 26.3 ± 2.8 to 8.2 ± 2.1. The improvement was found to be better among the children who did not consume junk food. Both differences were found to be statistically significant using a paired t-test. 

The mean calorie deficit among the children who received first line treatment was 26.3 ± 2.8 before treatment which reduced to 8.2 ± 2.1. Among the children who received first line and second line treatment, the mean calorie deficit reduced from 26.7 ± 3.3 to 20.4 ± 1.9. The improvement was found to be better among the children who received first line treatment. Both differences were found to be statistically significant using a paired t-test. 

All the patients who regularly consumed junk food required both first and second line of treatment while all the children who did not consume junk food only required first line treatment. This difference was found to be statistically significant using a chi-square test with a p-value < 0.05.

Conclusions: Patients who consumed a healthy diet experienced fewer episodes of migraine attacks which demonstrates the importance of nutritional interventions in managing them. In addition, the patients consuming a healthy diet primarily required only first line treatment. All these findings emphasize the importance of integrating dietary counselling into migraine management protocols.

Funding Sources: None