Migraine is a common and often invisible neurological condition that not only affects adults but also impacts about 11% of children and adolescents. A recent international phase 3 study, in which the Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron participated, has confirmed that the drug fremanezumab is both effective and safe for decreasing the frequency of migraines among young patients. The results of this study, known as SPACE, were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a leading journal in the medical field.

Migraine episodes in children and adolescents can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound, leading to significant disruptions in daily life. Such episodes can affect school attendance, academic performance, social relationships, and the emotional well-being of both the patients and their families. The development of an effective medication has the potential to significantly improve the management of migraines in this young demographic, offering better quality of life.

This breakthrough is especially significant as the prevalence of migraines among children and adolescents has often been overlooked in the past. With the introduction of fremanezumab as a viable preventive treatment, healthcare professionals may now have the tools to more effectively address the burdensome aspects of migraine for younger patients, thereby addressing a critical unmet need in pediatric care.