A study suggests helping children suffering from migraines with Botox injections. It may reduce the frequency of migraines.

Botox migraine medication topiramate approved only for adult migraine treatments. But new findings based on testing among just nine children, aged 8 to 17.

Botulinum Toxin

It appears to shorten the length of episodes Botox (botulinum toxin) when they occur, while also decrease migraine pain. No side effects found during treatments. But a new alternative therapy for pediatric migraines is on the vision.

“When children and teens have migraine pain, it can severely affect their lives and ability to function,” said study author Dr. Shalini Shah, chief of the division of pain medicine at the University of California, Irvine,

“Children miss school, grades suffer and left behind, often unable to reach their full potential,” she added explained in an American Society of Anesthesiologists’ news release. “Clearly, there is a need for an alternative treatment for those who haven’t found relief.

Shah said that after treatment with Botox, “we saw improvement in functional aspects in all of the children and teens. In fact, one patient was hospitalized monthly for her migraine pain prior to Botox treatment and was expected to be held back in school. After treatment, she only has one or two migraines a year, and is excelling in college.”

The participating patients experienced migraines between roughly eight and 30 times per month. Once treated, the study volunteers had migraines between two and 10 times a month.

Migraine duration also fell from between a half hour and a full day, to 15 minutes to seven hours. Reported pain also fell significantly, the researchers said.

[SOURCE: American Society of Anesthesiologists, news release]