Restless legs syndrome in children linked to family history, iron deficiency

A new Mayo Clinic study states that almost 6 percent of children seen in Mayo Clinic's sleep clinic show signs of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) or restless legs disease. The study, published in a 2005 issue of "Annals of Neurology", also notes that a common risk factor for the disease in kids, are an existing family record of restless legs syndrome and iron deficiency. "Restless legs syndrome is under-diagnosed in kids," says Suresh Kotagal, M.D., chair of Mayo Clinic pediatric neurology and a sleep specialist. "If you look at children with difficulty falling asleep, you'll see a fair number have symptoms of the restless legs syndrome. Thus nobody has really studied a larger group of children to see how large the actual group is that eventually has the restless legs syndrome.

Dr. Kotagal and his colleague Michael Silber, M.B.Ch.B., Mayo Clinic neurologist and sleep specialist, indicate that restless legs syndrome may account for some of the age-old notion of "growing pains." The pair reviewed records for more than 500 children seen at the Mayo Clinic for sleep disorders. Nearly 6% of the children seen had restless legs syndrome. The most common symptoms were trouble falling or staying asleep.

The study spotlighted two restless legs risk factors: iron deficiency and family history of the syndrome. Low iron levels were seen in 83% of the kids with restless legs syndrome. Other studies have linked restless legs and low iron levels. However, the connection isn't understood. It's also not clear if getting more iron in the diet or supplements helps tame symptoms.

	Does your kid have RLS? Many children diagnosed with growing pains actually suffer from restless legs syndrome.