Examines the prevalence of migraine and headache in schoolchildren in the United Arab Emirates and to determine the genetic and environmental factors associated with these conditions. Ss (aged 6-14 yrs) were selected by a multistage stratified sampling procedure. Data were collected by screening questionnaires followed by clinical interviews. 1,159 schoolchildren gave their consent to the study. The estimated prevalence rates for headache and migraine were 36.9% and 13.7%, respectively. Of the 159 children who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for migraine, 76 were boys whose mean age was 10.3 years and 83 were girls whose mean age was 9.9 yrs. Of the children who had migraine, 20 had migraine without aura, and 13 had migraine with aurThe most common migraine symptoms in schoolchildren had been aggravated by physical activity and a positive family history of migraine. There was a strong relationship between migraine and the timing of examinations. The most common environmental exposure for migraine was found to be playing on a computer, followed by loud noise, and a hot climate. In familial occurrence of headache among immediate relatives, the most frequently affected relative was the mother.