RLS in Children.

RLS in Children has become an issue of immense importance in child health care,although we cannot be sure as to the exact percentage of RLS child sufferers,  there have been several localised studies. A study at the Mayo Sleep Disorder Center showed that prevalence of this disorder in children 18 years or younger to be 5.9%.

It has been shown that between 38% and 45% of adults started having symptoms before they were 20 years of age.

Children with RLS can be mistakenly labeled as hyperactive or just fidgety as children can become restless anyway when in cramped and restrictive situations. Children’s RLS symptoms are resolved with motor movements such as walking and running and other leg movements. Child sufferers can only stop their symptoms for a very short time. Childhood RLS symptoms can be reduced as can for example growing pains by sensations of hot and cold.

  Childhood diagnosis of RLS is therefore very difficult. Again there is a problem in the description of  symptoms– children tend just to say they are experiencing pain but this is a very general term and if the child complains too much of pain it is unlikely to be RLS. If movement resolves the said pain then the problem is likely to be RLS and also if disrupted sleep is reported. The diagnosis can easily be confused with SDB or sleep disordered breathing.

Interestingly children with a diagnosis of ADDH or Attention Deficit Disorder or aggressive behaviour often have symptoms of RLS or PLMS.

Sleeping Disorders Homepage.