Is the development of visual contrast sensitivity impaired in children with migraine? An exploratory study

Introduction: Impairment of visual contrast sensitivity is a well-known phenomenon in adult migraineurs. Little is known, however, about whether contrast sensitivity deficits are already present in children with migraine. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study with 18 children with migraine without aura, in which we tested our subjects' visual contrast sensitivity. Eighteen age-and sex-matched healthy children served as controls. Results: Among the youngest subjects (6-10 years) we found no significant differences at any of the spatial frequencies tested, as compared to the controls, whereas from the age of 10 on, migraineurs exhibited significantly poorer contrast sensitivity, especially at the lower spatial frequencies. Conclusion: To our knowledge, we are the first to report on such a deficit in children, and we conclude that our findings might be interpreted as reflecting an increased vulnerability of the visual system to migraine attacks as part of the migrainous endophenotype.