Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Parental symptom report and periodic limb movements of sleep in children

Bradley T Martin1, Bruce D Williamson, Natalie Edwards

  • 1Department of Sleep Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia. btmartin@optusnet.com.au

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM : Official Publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
|March 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Parental reports of restless or restless legs in children do not accurately predict periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). Objective leg electromyography is recommended for all pediatric sleep studies to diagnose PLMS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) are a common concern in pediatric sleep evaluations.
  • Assessing PLMS often relies on polysomnography (PSG), but parental symptom reporting is frequently used as an initial screening tool.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of elevated PLMS index in children referred for PSG.
  • To evaluate the correlation between parental reports of specific symptoms and objectively measured PLMS during PSG.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of PSG records for 101 children (mean age 6.5 years).
  • Comparison of parental reports on leg restlessness or excessive movement during sleep with the child's PLMS index derived from PSG.
  • PLMS scored using established international criteria.

Main Results:

  • A raised PLMS index (≥5/hour) was found in 10% of children.
  • Parental reports of excessive leg movements had 50% sensitivity and 10% PPV for raised PLMS.
  • Parental reports of restlessness had 70% sensitivity but only 9% PPV for raised PLMS.

Conclusions:

  • Parental symptom reporting is an unreliable predictor of elevated PLMS in children.
  • Routine use of leg electromyography during pediatric sleep studies is recommended for accurate PLMS assessment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...