Migraines and Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Migraines are a common condition that may lead to Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS). In fact, migraines are the primary cause of AIWS in adults and the second leading cause in children. Although there are diagnostic criteria for migraine-associated AIWS, they are not widely used. These criteria typically include experiencing one or more episodes of distortions that last less than 30 minutes, accompanied by a headache or a history of migraines.
Research has shown that some children may exhibit symptoms of AIWS up to a year before experiencing their first migraine. This suggests that there may be a relationship between AIWS and the development of migraines in children.
Infections
Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) in children is most commonly caused by acute infections. While studies have shown that children with infections also experience headaches, it is difficult to rule out a possible connection to migraines. Among children, the Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the herpes family, is frequently reported as the pathogen responsible for AIWS. Some reports indicate that AIWS patients with infections may exhibit periodic slowing of electrical activity on an electroencephalogram (EEG).