title: Evaluation of oral iron treatment in pediatric restless legs syndrome (RLS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with restless legs syndrome (RLS) to evaluate the efficacy of oral iron treatment, which was administered open-label during the course of clinical care. In addition, we provided detailed clinical information about RLS in this pediatric cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 30 consecutive Japanese children with RLS who visited the Pediatric Sleep Clinic at Osaka University Hospital, and consisted of 17 boys and 13 girls, aged 2-14 years (mean ± SD, 6.5 ± 2.8). All-night polysomnography was performed in 18 patients and serum ferritin levels were measured in all the patients. After the diagnosis of RLS, iron was administered at doses between 1.6 and 7.8 mg/kg/day (3.2 ± 1.3). Serum ferritin was re-evaluated 3-6 months after iron treatment, or when RLS symptoms had disappeared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient age at onset of RLS symptoms ranged from six months to 13 years (4.3 ± 3.6). A positive family history was recognized in 19 children (63.3%). Serum ferritin levels before therapy were 9-62 ng/ml (26.6 ± 12.8) and oral iron supplementation was reported to be highly effective in 17 children, effective in 10, and ineffective in three. The serum ferritin level at follow-up was 23-182 ng/ml (83.5 ± 49.8). The onset of treatment effect was within approximately three months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron treatment could be effective in Japanese pediatric RLS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohri
authors.forename: Kumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato-Nishimura
authors.forename: Kuriko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kagitani-Shimono
authors.forename: Shihoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura-Ohba
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozono
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taniike
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron