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Restless Sleep Disorder (RSD): a New Sleep Disorder in Children. A Rapid Review

Lourdes M DelRosso1, Maria P Mogavero2, Raffaele Ferri3

  • 1Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|June 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Restless sleep disorder (RSD) is a pediatric condition with frequent nighttime movements and daytime symptoms. Iron supplementation shows promise in improving symptoms for children with RSD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Restless sleep disorder (RSD) is a newly identified pediatric sleep disorder.
  • It is characterized by frequent nocturnal movements and associated daytime symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, comorbidities, and treatments for RSD.
  • To aid pediatricians in timely diagnosis of children with RSD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current evidence on Restless Sleep Disorder.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • RSD affects 7.7% of children in pediatric sleep centers.
  • Symptoms include nightly movements, excessive sleepiness, hyperactivity, and irritability.
  • Associated factors include increased sympathetic activity, NREM sleep instability, iron deficiency, parasomnias, and ADHD.

Conclusions:

  • Consensus diagnostic criteria for RSD have been established.
  • Emerging evidence indicates iron supplementation is an effective treatment for RSD symptoms.
Abstract

Keywords:
Iron supplementationPeriodic leg movements during sleepRestless legs syndromeRestless sleep disorderSleep-related movement disorders

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