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Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder in children: a mini-review

Nhi Lam1, Montida Veeravigrom2

  • 1Sleep Medicine Program, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.

Frontiers in Neurology
|May 31, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (SRRMD) in children is often benign but can disrupt sleep and cause impairment. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, with video-polysomnography used for complex cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (SRRMD) affects infants and children, rarely persisting into adulthood.
  • Rhythmic movements during sleep are often asymptomatic and benign in children.
  • SRRMD is diagnosed when movements disrupt sleep, cause daytime impairment, or lead to self-injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characteristics and diagnostic approaches for SRRMD in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the criteria for classifying benign rhythmic movements as a disorder.
  • To underscore the current lack of treatment guidelines for SRRMD.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical diagnosis supported by home video recordings.
  • Video-polysomnography indicated for inconclusive cases or suspected comorbidities.
  • Review of existing literature on pediatric sleep-related movement disorders.

Main Results:

  • SRRMD can occur across all sleep stages.
  • Diagnosis is primarily clinical, often requiring home video analysis.
  • Video-polysomnography is reserved for complex diagnostic situations.

Conclusions:

  • SRRMD in children requires careful evaluation to distinguish from benign movements.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management, though treatment guidelines are absent.
  • Further research is needed to establish clear treatment protocols for pediatric SRRMD.

Keywords:
childrenrhythmic movement disorderseizuresleepvideo-polysomnography

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