Restless Legs Syndrome and Restless Sleep Disorder in Children

Sleep Med Clin. 2023 Jun;18(2):201-212. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.01.008.

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects 2% of children presenting with symptoms of insomnia, restless sleep, decreased quality of life, and effects on cognition and behavior. The International RLS Study Group and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have published guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of RLS in children. Restless sleep disorder has been recently identified in children and presents with frequent movements during sleep and daytime symptoms with polysomnography findings of at least 5 large muscle movements at night. Treatment options for both disorders include iron supplementation, either oral or intravenous with improvement in nighttime and daytime symptoms.

Keywords: Ferritin; Iron supplementation; RLS; RSD; Restless legs syndrome; Restless sleep disorder.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Quality of Life
  • Restless Legs Syndrome* / complications
  • Restless Legs Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Restless Legs Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Sleep / physiology

Substances

  • Iron

Supplementary concepts

  • restless sleep disorder