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Sleep-related movement disorders in children: recent updates

Melissa Cole1,2, Narong Simakajornboon3,4

  • 1Sleep Center, Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7041, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|November 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric sleep-related movement disorders (SRMDs), including restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), are common but underrecognized. Early diagnosis and iron therapy are key for managing these conditions in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Movement Disorders

Background:

  • Sleep-related movement disorders (SRMDs), including restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), and restless sleep disorder (RSD), are prevalent in pediatric populations.
  • These conditions are often underrecognized by healthcare professionals.
  • Recent literature highlights increasing focus on RLS, PLMD, and the newly described RSD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and provide recent updates on the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and management of common SRMDs in children.
  • To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of English-language peer-reviewed publications.
  • Databases searched include PubMed and SCOPUS.
  • Included systematic reviews and relevant publications on RLS, PLMD, and RSD.

Main Results:

  • SRMDs are common in children and adolescents but frequently underdiagnosed.
  • Key pathophysiologies include genetics, dopaminergic dysfunction, and iron deficiency; low iron stores are implicated in both RLS and RSD.
  • Iron therapy is effective; while some medications show promise for RLS and PLMD, data in children remain limited.

Conclusions:

  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on pediatric RLS, PLMD, and RSD, covering diagnosis and management.
  • Pediatricians must recognize SRMD presentations for timely diagnosis.
  • Further research is needed on RSD pathogenesis, long-term effects, and pharmacologic treatments in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenIron therapyPediatric restless legs syndromePeriodic limb movement disorderRestless sleep disorderSleep-related movement disorders

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