Abdominal migraine is observed mainly in children with the children ages 5 to 9 years old its most common victims. However, adults can also get affected by abdominal migraine. Vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain are the conditions that primarily manifest abdominal migraine. It was not until links were made to other family members having migraines and children who had it grew into adults with migraine with and without aura that abdominal migraine was acknowledged as a form of migraine.

Migraine with aura and/or migraine without aura are eventually developed by most children who suffer from abdominal migraine. International Headache Society has established the diagnostic criteria for abdominal migraine, which is in the following.

1. Execution of criteria B-D by at least five attacks
2. Unsuccessfully treated or untreated attacks of abdominal pain lasting 1-72 hours
3. All of the following characteristics are observed in abdominal pain

• Moderate or severe intensity
• ‘Just sore’ or dull quality
• Periumbilical, poorly localized, or midline location

4. At least 2 of the following occur during abdominal pain

• Pallor
• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Vomiting

5. Abdominal migraine is not attributed to another disorder

However, as with any form of migraines, there is no test to confirm abdominal migraine. By reviewing both patient and family medical history, assessing the symptoms, and performing an examination to rule out other causes of the symptoms, the diagnosis of abdominal migraine is achieved.

Following are the other conditions that should be excluded to arrive at abdominal migraine diagnosis:

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Duodenal obstruction

• Crohn’s disease

• Urogential disorders

• Gastroesophageal reflux

• Cholecystitis (gall bladder)

• Peptic ulcer

Seizure disorders should also be excluded if there is any alteration in consciousness.