Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Narcolepsy in prepubertal children

C Guilleminault1, R Pelayo

  • 1Stanford Sleep Disorder Clinic, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305, USA.

Annals of Neurology
|February 5, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric narcolepsy diagnosis is often delayed, with symptoms like cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Early consideration of narcolepsy is crucial for children with behavioral and depressive symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting sleep-wake regulation.
  • Diagnosis in children is often delayed, leading to prolonged suffering and misdiagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diagnostic challenges and clinical features of narcolepsy in a pediatric cohort.
  • To highlight the importance of considering narcolepsy in children presenting with specific symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 51 children diagnosed with narcolepsy.
  • Analysis of clinical symptoms, sleep study results (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), HLA typing, and treatment outcomes.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic delays and family/teacher perceptions.

Main Results:

  • A mean of three referrals preceded narcolepsy diagnosis.
  • Common symptoms included cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations.
  • All children had abnormal Multiple Sleep Latency Test results, with a mean sleep latency of 1.5 minutes and multiple sleep-onset rapid eye movement periods.
  • High prevalence of HLA-DQB1*06:02 (DQw6) and HLA-DRB1*15:01 (DRw15) positivity.
  • All children exhibited depressive symptoms during follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Narcolepsy diagnosis in children is frequently delayed.
  • Clinical presentation includes characteristic sleep-related symptoms and often co-occurs with depressive symptoms.
  • Consideration of narcolepsy is vital for children with unexplained behavioral and mood disturbances.

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

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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:
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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 Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
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.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.