Kids can have restless legs syndrome (RLS) too.
RLS is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in legs, toes, or even limbs. The discomfort is worse at rest, worse at night, and is relieved by movement.
The problem is kids don’t frequently have such vocabulary to express this. Kids with RLS will frequently complain more of pain, bubble, or insect feelings. They may ask for massage of there feet or calves. This should not be mistaken for sleep avoiding behavior.
Also, these symptoms may be commonly confused for growing pains. However, growing pains are not night specific. Another difference is that growing pains may occur more during activity, whereas RLS is relieved by activity.
It is common for kids to outgrow such symptoms. However it may be a sign of iron deficiency or other metabolic disturbances that your pediatrician should evaluate for.
RLS may be genetic. In fact there are two classifications: Familial and Non-familial RLS. Imagine that!
How to Diagnose Pediatric RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome).
RLS is a clinical diagnosis, that means the diagnosis is made by the history of symptoms you tell your doctor. RLS is not a diagnosis that can be made by Polysomnogram (PSG) (though periodic leg movements durring sleep may be supportive of the diagnosis but not essential criteria).
Essential features of RLS are: (1) Patient reports urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation to legs, (2) Urge to move worsens with rest/inactivity, (3) There is relief of the symptoms by movement, walking, or mental activity (4) The unpleasant sensations are worse at night. However these ICSD-2 (International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Second Edition) criteria are for patients of age older then 12 years of age. For Pediatric RLS (2-to-12 years of age) the diagnosis is supported by Sleep disturbance for age, Family history of RLS, or PSG with PLMS index of 5 or more.
There are treatments for RLS that have been shown to be effective in adults and children alike. If you have concern that you or a family member may have RLS, bring these to your doctor to discuss treatment options.
