Estimation of antiphospholipid antibodies in a prospective longitudinal study of children with migraine

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in children with migraine. The values of anticardiolipin (aCL) and antibeta(2) glycoprotein I (antibeta(2)GPI) antibodies were assayed by an ELISA method in 52 children with migraine and 22 children with tension-type headache. The control group consisted of 61 apparently healthy children at regular preventive visits. Two monoclonal beta(2)GPI dependent aCL (HCAL and EY2C9) were used as calibrators. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) was determined by a modified dilute Russell viper venom time test. Persistently positive aPL were observed during the follow-up in 16.3% of children with migraine (9.3% for aCL, 7.0% for antibeta(2)GPI and 0% for LA) and in 16.7% of children with tension-type headache (11.1% for aCL, 5.6% for antibeta(2)GPI and 0% for LA). The prevalence of aPL did not differ significantly between patient groups and healthy children. The prevalence of aPL does not appear to be increased in an unselected group of children with migraine, however, the possible role of aPL in individual cases of paediatric migraine can not be excluded.