Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease and Growing Pains in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are common in pediatric population. The diagnostic criteria for Pediatric RLS have recently been updated to simplify and integrate with newly revised adult RLS criteria. Management of RLS and PLMD involves pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. Children with low iron storage are likely to benefit from iron therapy. Although, there is limited information on pharmacologic therapy, there are emerging literatures showing the effectiveness of dopaminergic medications in the management of RLS and PLMD in children. This article covers clinical evaluation of RLS and PLMD in children and the relationship with growing pains.

Keywords: ADHD; Dopaminergic medication; Growing pains; Iron therapy; Pediatric periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD); Pediatric restless legs syndrome (RLS).