The results of the present study show that migraine prevalence was 6.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 7.0). The estimated prevalences of migraine with and without aura were 2.8% (95% CI, 2.3 to 3.4) and 3.4% (CI, 2.8 to 4.0), respectively. The prevalence of migraine increased with age and it was found to be almost equal in boys and girls aged 7 to 9 years or younger, but in older age groups the prevalence was higher in girls than in boys. The data showed no evidence that connected migraine with social class. It also showed that except for the aura, the headache (e.g., frequency, duration, location, quality, and severity) and nonheadache (e.g., nausea, vomiting, phonophobia, and photophobia) characteristics were no different between children with migraine, with and without aura. In conclusion, our findings indicate that migraine is a common underdiagnosed cause of severe recurrent headache in children. The findings show that childhood migraine is not connected with social class and varies with age and gender, and that except for the aura, both migraine with and without aura are so similar in their headache and nonheadache clinical characteristics that a common pathogenesis is plausible.

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Six cases of hydatid disease affecting the vertebrae are described. Four patients presented with paraparesis and sphincter disturbances while the other two presented with low back pain and sciatica. Myelographic findings were positive in all six patients. The CT scans showed a paravertebral mass with destruction of bone in two cases. The nuclear magnetic resonance performed in one patient showed the exact extent of the disease all along the spine. Posterior laminectomy with decompression of the spinal cord and removal of the hydatid cysts was performed in all six patients. After the operation four patients received oral treatment with mebendazole. The patients with paraparesis showed little improvement of their neurological status. The two patients with low back pain and sciatica showed marked improvement. Hydatid disease affecting the vertebrae presents with neurological complications due to cord compression. The prognosis remains poor in spite of laminectomy, although removal of the hydatid cysts and long-term mebendazole medication may result in relief of symptoms.

This report concerns 59 infants and children with short bowel syndrome, most commonly caused by necrotizing enterocolitis in this study. Resection of atretic or gangrenous bowel was performed in 53 patients, tapering enteroplasty and primary anastomosis was performed in 13 patients, and temporary enterostomies were performed in 40 patients. Second-look laparotomy was useful in two of four cases of questionable bowel viability. The ileocecal valve was resected in 32 patients and remained intact in 27. The mean length of the remaining bowel was 58.4 cm. All patients received total parenteral nutrition and early enteral feedings. Home hyperalimentation was attempted when 50 per cent of the calorie intake was enteral. Intestinal adaptation required from 3 to 14 months. Frequent setbacks were related to catheter sepsis, rotavirus infection, carbohydrate intolerance, and liver dysfunction. The overall survival rate was 80 per cent with mortality due to sepsis associated with total parenteral nutrition and liver failure.