Melatonin Levels in Children with Migraine

Background: Migraine is the most common primary headache in children. Neuromediators and deterioration in circadian rhythm and sleep disorders can play a role in the etiology of migraines. Aim: To determine the serum melatonin levels of children with migraine and the relationship between melatonin and childhood migraine. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five children aged between 10 and 18 years with migraine as the case group and 35 healthy children of similar age and sex as the control group were included in the study. Venous blood samples were taken at 09.00 AM and melatonin analysis was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean serum melatonin levels of the case group and control group were found to be 300.1 +/- 67.3 pg/mL and 314.9 +/- 64.0 pg/mL, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.351). Comparison of the melatonin levels in the case group according to the clinical characteristics was not significantly different. Conclusion: An association between sleep and migraine is predictable, but its pathophysiology is not yet known. Etiological studies continue and the relationship between melatonin and migraine remains unclear.