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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 1;17(11):2325-2327.
doi: 10.5664/jcsm.9482.

Kleine-Levin syndrome related to pregnancy: a case report

Samson G Khachatryan  1   2 , Alejandra C Lastra  3 , Lusine V Vardanyan  1   2 , Laura G Khachatryan  4 , Hrayr P Attarian  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Kleine-Levin syndrome related to pregnancy: a case report

Samson G Khachatryan et al. J Clin Sleep Med. .

Abstract

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder of recurrent hypersomnolence. The pathophysiology continues to be poorly understood. Autoimmunity, genetic polymorphisms, dysfunction of the hypothalamic axis, and abnormalities in functional imaging have been proposed. Several triggers have been described, including infection, toxins, head trauma, sleep deprivation, lactation, and menses. We present the first case report in the medical literature of KLS triggered by pregnancy and the first case of KLS from Armenia. Our patient has a pattern of mostly pregnancy-related episodes of several day sleepiness occurring monthly. This case adds to the published literature as we present a new association and explore the pathophysiology of KLS.

Citation: Khachatryan SG, Lastra AC, Vardanyan LV, Khachatryan LG, Attarian HP. Kleine-Levin syndrome related to pregnancy: a case report. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(11):2325-2327.

Keywords: KLS; Kleine-Levin syndrome; lactation; menstrual-related hypersomnia; pregnancy; recurrent hypersomnia.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have read and approved this manuscript. Work for this study was performed at the Sleep and Movement Disorders Center, Somnus Neurology Clinic, Yerevan, Armenia. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the disease course.
The figure includes all main stages of our patient’s KLS. The pregnancy and lactation periods and sleep episodes are presented in a simple schematic by months and years. There is a clear coincidence of KLS sleep periods with the onset of 4 pregnancies and monthly recurrence during the first pregnancy. KLS = Kleine-Levin syndrome.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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