Iatrogenic harm in paediatric and adolescent populations of patients with migraine: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Migraine significantly impacts children and adolescents, causing a high disability burden. The effectiveness of pharmacological treatments remains debated, raising safety concerns among young patients. This study reviews the safety profiles of common migraine medications for children and adolescents. Researchers systematically searched PubMed and Scopus for studies reporting adverse events related to migraine prophylaxis. A total of 40 studies were included, involving 2742 patients. Among these, 55% were females. Overall, 30% of the patients experienced at least one adverse event. Erenumab had the highest rate of adverse events, while cinnarizine showed the lowest. The most common adverse events reported included drowsiness, anorexia, fatigue, and paraesthesia. Clinicians should be aware that 30% of pediatric migraine patients may report adverse events. This information is vital for evaluating treatment options and making informed decisions based on risk and benefit for each patient. Clinical relevance: This research highlights that 30% of pediatric migraine patients may experience adverse events from treatments, guiding clinicians in choosing safer options.