[P3-80] Clinical Features of Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
[Introduction]
To clarify the pathophysiology of pediatric restless leg syndrome (RLS), we evaluated clinical features of children who visited our clinic.
[Methodology]
We retrospectively examined medical records in 28 patients with RLS (15 boys, 13 girls).
[Results]
Ages of onset and initial visit were 5 months-14 years, and 11 months-15 years, respectively. There was no gender difference. Family history of RLS was recognized in 8 patients (33 %). Besides in the legs, an unpleasant crawling sensation was described in the upper extremities in 7 patients (25%) and was more likely to appear in the distal parts of the lower and upper extremities. Unpleasant sensation was described as “pain” in 4 children aged before 4 years. None of the patients showed any sleep disorders. Twelve patients (43%) had comorbidities, including ADHD in 2, tics in 3 and learning disability in 1, respectively. Serum ferritin levels were decreased in 9 of 14 patients. Periodic limb movements were not identified by daytime polysomnogram in any patients. Spontaneous remission was noticed in 6 patients. Iron therapy was effective in 3 of 5 patients, showing reduced serum levels of ferritin. Low dose of levodopa (0.5mg/kg/day) was administered in 10 patients, 7 of which revealed improvement of symptoms in the absence of augmentation.
[Conclusion]
It is likely that the clinical features in children with RLS may be different from those of adults with RLS, and we believe that low dose of levodopa will be one of therapeutic tools in pediatric RLS.
To clarify the pathophysiology of pediatric restless leg syndrome (RLS), we evaluated clinical features of children who visited our clinic.
[Methodology]
We retrospectively examined medical records in 28 patients with RLS (15 boys, 13 girls).
[Results]
Ages of onset and initial visit were 5 months-14 years, and 11 months-15 years, respectively. There was no gender difference. Family history of RLS was recognized in 8 patients (33 %). Besides in the legs, an unpleasant crawling sensation was described in the upper extremities in 7 patients (25%) and was more likely to appear in the distal parts of the lower and upper extremities. Unpleasant sensation was described as “pain” in 4 children aged before 4 years. None of the patients showed any sleep disorders. Twelve patients (43%) had comorbidities, including ADHD in 2, tics in 3 and learning disability in 1, respectively. Serum ferritin levels were decreased in 9 of 14 patients. Periodic limb movements were not identified by daytime polysomnogram in any patients. Spontaneous remission was noticed in 6 patients. Iron therapy was effective in 3 of 5 patients, showing reduced serum levels of ferritin. Low dose of levodopa (0.5mg/kg/day) was administered in 10 patients, 7 of which revealed improvement of symptoms in the absence of augmentation.
[Conclusion]
It is likely that the clinical features in children with RLS may be different from those of adults with RLS, and we believe that low dose of levodopa will be one of therapeutic tools in pediatric RLS.