[The Kleine-Levin syndrome].
Two boys, aged 12 and 13 years, showed relapsing periods of somnolence and excessive eating, starting after a viral illness. One of them also showed periodic disturbance of sexual impulse control. The symptomatic periods were followed by symptom-free intervals in a highly characteristic pattern. This gave the clue to the diagnosis Kleine-Levin syndrome. The cause of this syndrome is unknown, in some cases a relationship between infectious disease or traumatic brain damage has been postulated. A dysfunction of the hypothalamus and associated structures is suspected. The syndrome has a rather favourable prognosis. The symptoms can be relieved by amphetamines, methylphenidate and probably also by lithium carbonate.
Visscher
F
F
Afd. Kinderneurologie, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Smit
L M
LM
Smith
F
F
Boer
F
F
Njiokiktjien
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013577:Syndrome
D008774:Methylphenidate
Het Kleine-Levin-syndroom.