Restless Leg Syndrome in Children May be the Reason Your Child Seems Hyperactive
Restless leg syndrome in children is ignored a great deal even as RLS in adults has drawn increasing attention. The fact is that the limited research about RLS in kids confirms that is a real problem. For adults there are estimates that restless legs affect as many as one in ten people in the United States.
Symptoms of restless leg syndrome include a severe and recurrent urge to move the legs when inactive. It has become one of the most common sleep disorders, and has been noted since the 1940’s. One of the theories about RLS is that it strikes individuals over the age of 50 more frequently.
While this may be the case, it can occur at any age and has been reported in children as young as 3 years old. Until the mid 1990’s restless leg syndrome was not discussed very much in the medical community. It was at that time that diagnositic criteria were clearly defined. Often times RLS is still dismissed as simply being a case of “nerves.” In children, there has been a tendency to mistake it as “growing pains,” suggesting that it is simply a passing phase a child is going through.
RLS in kids can result in problems with focus and concentration, hyperactivity like behaviors, and mood problems. Research has now demonstrated that RLS can be more likely if a close relative has the condition, suggesting that a genetic basis is involved for many children with the disorder.
One study, from the Mayo Clinic, found that up to 75% of the 500 children studied had a close relative with restless legs. This should alert you to the fact that your child’s complaints about growing pains, problems settling in for the night, and even hyperactivity could be indications of RLS if someone else in the family has this aggravating condition. While low levels of iron in the blood have long been implicated in cases of RLS among adults, the Mayo research showed that the same issue could be one reason for RLS in children.
Some of the signs of restless legs in children can include apparent over activity, the compulsion to move the legs, symptoms that resemble ADD, and resistance to settling in for the night. Consider the possibility that your child is afflicted with restless legs if they complain of burning and irritation in the legs when at rest. Remember that sleep deprivation can strike children more intensely than adults due to developmental needs; this can result in problems in school and behavior issues. A child who is exhausted will find it hard to focus, can be forgetful, moody, and will respond more slowly. Getting up in the morning could be more challenging; grades will start to fall.
If you do see these symptoms make certain to contact your doctor. Let them know the changes in your child. Make sure they take it seriously and do not brush you off with vague remarks about growing pains. Have blood work done to see if iron levels are normal. For some children making one simple change may be enough. Other supplements can also be helpful, but should be in doses that are appropriate to the child’s size, age, and weight. Restless leg syndrome in children should be taken just as seriously as in adults.
Your child can have a better night’s sleep when you know about restless leg syndrome in children . Find out answers to your questions about restless leg syndrome and children, and find remedies to treat RLS naturally, without the drugs that will leave you stupefied come daylight.
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