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Restless Legs Syndrome and Restless Sleep Disorder in Children

Lourdes M DelRosso1, Maria Paola Mogavero2, Oliviero Bruni3

  • 1University of California San Francisco, Fresno, USA; University Sleep and Pulmonary Associates, 6733 North Willow Avenue, Unit 107, Fresno, CA 93710, USA.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|April 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and restless sleep disorder impact children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects 2% of children, causing insomnia, poor sleep quality, and impacting behavior and cognition.
  • Restless sleep disorder, recently identified, features frequent nighttime movements and daytime symptoms.
  • Established guidelines exist for RLS diagnosis and treatment in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current understanding and treatment of pediatric RLS and restless sleep disorder.
  • To highlight diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches for these pediatric sleep conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and clinical guidelines for pediatric RLS and restless sleep disorder.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria including polysomnography findings for restless sleep disorder.

Main Results:

  • RLS in children presents with insomnia, restless sleep, and cognitive/behavioral issues.
  • Restless sleep disorder is characterized by frequent sleep movements and daytime symptoms.
  • Iron supplementation, oral or IV, is a primary treatment for both conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Iron supplementation effectively improves nighttime and daytime symptoms for children with RLS and restless sleep disorder.
  • Adherence to established guidelines is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of these pediatric sleep disorders.

Keywords:
FerritinIron supplementationRLSRSDRestless legs syndromeRestless sleep disorder

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