Narcolepsy in pediatric age - Experience of a tertiary pediatric hospital.
Narcolepsy, a chronic disorder of the sleep-wake cycle of multifactorial etiology, is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, often associated with cataplexy, hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Both early clinical suspicion and therapeutic approach are essential for promotion of cognitive development and social integration of these children. The authors present a descriptive retrospective study of a series of eight children in whom symptoms first started between 6.8 and 10.5 years of age. Diagnostic delay ranged from 4 months to 2 years. One child had H1N1 flu vaccination eight months before the clinical onset. The first multiple sleep latency test was positive in 6 of 8 cases. All cases were treated with methylphenidate, and venlafaxine was associated in 4 of them. In one case the initial therapy was exclusively behavioral. In all cases, symptomatic improvement, better school performance and social integration were achieved after therapeutic adjustment.
Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Filipa
F
Dias Costa
Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Maria Inês
MI
Barreto
Laboratory of Sleep and Ventilation, Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Vanda
V
Clemente
Center of Child Development, Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Mónica
M
Vasconcelos
Laboratory of Sleep and Ventilation, Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Maria Helena
MH
Estêvão
Laboratory of Sleep and Ventilation, Pediatric Hospital, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, Portugal.
Núria
N
Madureira
Casuistic; Children; Narcolepsy; Sleepiness