Riboflavin as migraine prophylaxis in adolescents

Background Migraine is a cause of recurrent headaches in children. Riboflavin has been sho\Vll to be efficacious in preventing migraine in adults. However, there has been little research on its use in children and adolescents. Objective To assess the effectiveness of riboflavin for migraine prevention in adolescents. Methods We conducted a randomized, double?blind, controlled trial in the Islamic Centre of the Musthafav.iyah Mandailing Natal District, North Sumatera, from May to July 2010. Adolescents \\lith migraines, as defined criteria, were included. Subjects were divided into two groups, receiving either 400 mg of riboflavin or placebo for 3 months. Headache frequency was measured in headache days per month, headache duration was measured in hours, and functional disability was measured using the Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (PedMIDAS). Migraines were assessed before, during and after intervention. Student's t?test was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 98 patients, ranging from 12 to 19 years in age (mean age 14.0 years) were enrolled. We found a significant reduction in headache frequency in the second and third months. Headache duration also differed significantly third months (P=0.012 and P=O.OOl, respectively). Riboflavin decreased disability, as indicated by lower PedMIDAS scores in the riboflavin group compared to the placebo group (26.1 and 34.3, respectively, P= 0.001). Conclusion Riboflavin effectively decreased migraine frequency, duration and disability in adolescents. [Paediatr Indones. 2012;52:132-7].