Headaches are on common phenomenon and the most frequently reported pain among children and adolescents. We tried to reveal more information on migraine headaches among schoolchildren. Sixty-two schoolchildren with migraine headaches were included in the study during the 2008-2010 period. These data are part of a wider study of headaches in children. There were 56.45% of female and 43.55% of male children with no statistically significant difference in sex representation. At the time of study completion, migraine headaches were most common in the hospital registry, accounting for 49.2% of cases, followed by 23.8% of tension headaches, 21.4% of secondary headaches, 1.6% of cluster headaches and 4% of unclassified headaches. The frequency of migraine headaches was mostly monthly (35.4%). Pain intensity on a 1-10 scale was most often 8 (27.4%); 54.9% of children rated their pain with 8, 9 and 10, but the question whether pain was debilitating was answered affirmatively by only 19.3% of study children. The leading predisposing factors were stress (40.3%) and exercise (17.7%), while 25.8% of children described a relationship between changing weather conditions and headaches. EEG findings were normal in 74.2%, nonspecific in 12.9% and borderline in 6.4% of study children. Specific epileptic discharges were found in 6.4%. MRI showed changes in 8.1% of cases. Our data suggest that migraine headaches in children are a significant problem and have important part in everyday practice of pediatric neurologist.

Discontinuation of antiepileptic therapy presents a challenge for physicians and patient. Many parameters play a role, and the doctor has to assess the relationship between benefits and any possible damages caused by this act. The final decision should be made with the parents and the patient. In this study, we assessed the role of various factors on the possibility of relapse of epileptic seizures after discontinuation off antiepileptic therapy. We studied a cohort of children with partial epilepsy. Discontinuation was performed from 2001-2007. The study included 93 children divided into groups according to age of diagnosis and the introduction of antiepileptic therapy, the type of seizures, etiology, neurological and psychological status, the results neuroimaging studies, family history, history of febrile seizures, antiepileptic therapy, EEG registration before discontinuation of the treatment, speed of tapering therapy. Multivariable analysis was made, binary logistic regression. Factors that showed statistical significance were: age at the diagnosis, duration of active epilepsy, neurological and psychological status, EEG registration before discontinuation of therapy, the length of the period without seizures before discontinuation of the therapy and length of tapering the therapy.It is necessary to pay attention to the factors affecting increased risk of relapse of epileptic seizures when discontinuing the antiepileptic therapy in patients with partial epilepsies. This should be discussed with parents and patients, and consensus has to be reached. Doctor and patient must be aware that the risk of recurrence of epileptic seizures is high.

Central nervous system (CNS) malformations represent important factor of morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence, type and clinical features of CNS malformations in children who were admitted at the Neonatal and Child Neurology Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Paediatric Clinic, University of Sarajevo Clinics Centre, from January 1st, 2002 to December 31st, 2006. There were total of 16520 admissions at the Paediatric Clinic over the studied period. CNS malformations, solitary or multiple, have been diagnosed in 100 patients (0,61%). The total number of various CNS malformations was 127. Lethal outcome was established in 9/100 cases (9%). The most frequent CNS malformations were neural tube defects 49/127 (38,6%). Hydrocephalus was seen in 34/127 (26,8%), microcephaly in 24/127 (18,9%), agenesis of corpus callosum in 10/127 (7,9%), Dandy Walker malformation in 6/127 (4,7%) and other CNS malformations in 4/127 (3,1%). In 20/100 of patients neural tube defect was associated with hydrocephalus (20%). CNS malformations were prenatally diagnosed in 13/100 of patients (13%). Primary prevention of CNS malformations can be improved in our country by better implementation of preconceptional folic acid therapy for all women of childbearing age. Secondary prevention by prenatal diagnosis requires advanced technical equipment and adequate education of physicians in the field of foetal ultrasonography. In our circumstances, prenatal diagnostics of CNS malformations is still not developed enough.