Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics

The Korean Pediatric Society (대한소아청소년과학회)
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A case of restless legs syndrome in a child presenting with growing pains

성장통으로 발견된 하지 불안 증후군 1예

  • Kim, Dong Soon (Department of Pediatrics, Eulji General Hospital, School of Medicine, Eulji University) ;
  • Shin, Hong Beom (Komoki Sleep Center) ;
  • Ahn, Young Min (Department of Pediatrics, Eulji General Hospital, School of Medicine, Eulji University)
  • 김동순 (을지대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 신홍범 (코모키 수면센터) ;
  • 안영민 (을지대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실)
  • Received : 2008.07.29
  • Accepted : 2008.10.19
  • Published : 2008.11.15
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Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sleep disorder in adults characterized by the following diagnostic criteria: an urge to move that is usually associated with unpleasant sensations and symptoms that are worse at rest, relieved by movement, and most severe at night. The definite diagnosis of RLS in children is stricter and consists of self-description of leg discomfort or the presence of 2 of 3 supportive criteria combined with 4 essential criteria for diagnosis in adults. RLS in childhood has often been misdiagnosed as growing pains or a part of normal development. As a result, physicians have often missed the chance for proper management. We diagnosed a case of RLS in a 5-year-old boy presenting with growing pains, whose mother was found to have had RLS since childhood. We confirmed RLS by using a polysomnograph, in which the indices of periodic limb movement syndrome (PLMS) and periodic limb movement during wakefulness (PLMW) were recorded to be compatible with RLS criteria. The patient's ferritin level was low normal, and his symptoms improved after taking iron supplements.

하지 불안증후군은 다리의 감각 둔화와 감각이상을 호소하며, 쉬고 있을 때 악화되고 움직이면 완화되는 특징을 보이는 증후군이다. 정확한 원인은 아직 알려진 바 없으며 아동기 시작되는 하지 불안증후군은 철분 결핍 및 가족력과 연관된 것으로 되어 있다. 또한 하지 불안증후군은 주의력 결핍 과잉행동 장애를 흔히 동반하며, 수면 다원 검사로 확진되는 주기성 사지 운동증과 같은 선상의 질병으로 여겨진다. 저자들은 하지 통증을 호소하는 5세 남아에서 어머니의 가족력을 발견하고 주의력 결핍 장애의 증상을 동반하며 수면 다원 검사로 진단된 경도의 주기성 사지 운동증으로 확진한 하지 불안 증후군을 진단하고 철분제 복용 후 증상 호전을 보인 사례를 경험하였기에 이를 보고하며, 성장통으로 내원하는 아이들에서 하지 불안 증후군을 감별할 것을 제안하는 바이다.

Keywords

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