ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) are treatable neurologic disorders that affect 5% to 10% of adults (1). These disorders have been previously under-recognized in the pediatric population although 20-35% of adults with RLS report symptoms beginning in childhood (2,3). The true prevalence of these disorders in childhood is unknown. Recent diagnostic criteria for both pediatric RLS and PLMD have been established, thus increasing recognition of these disorders in children. Major advances in childhood RLS and PLMD include: (1) retrospective reports and case presentations of RLS and PLMD in children; (2) 2003 consensus definition for RLS in children; (3) 2005 definition of PLMD in children; and, (4) recent reports of the clinical characterization of childhood RLS and PLMD. These milestones introduced RLS and PLMD as important childhood disorders and led to standardized diagnostic criteria and the clinical characterization for RLS and PLMD in children that previously were unavailable. Such standardization will allow a higher degree of accuracy in clinical diagnosis and homogeneity within research study groups.
