J Korean Child Neurol Soc Search

CLOSE


Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society 2009;17(2):107-117.
Published online November 30, 2009.
Pediatric Narcolepsy: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Yang Weon Bang, Kyu Young Chae
1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Keyo Hospital, Korea.
2Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, CHA University, Korea. barnabas@cha.ac.kr
Abstract
Narcolepsy is chronic devastating disease that characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, which often precipitated by intense emotion or excitement, hypnagogic, or hypnapompic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and nocturnal disrupted sleep. In child onset narcolepsy, the presentations of narcolepsy can be very variable, making misdiagnosis as seizure disorders or delaying diagnosis as much as several years after disease onset. For the diagnosis of narcolepsy, overnight polysomnography(PSG) and multiple sleep latency test(MSLT) should be evaluated. Test for Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin(orexin) concentration and human leukocyte antigens(HLA) would be great helpful to confirm the narcolepsy with cataplexy even in early stage of disease in children. The mainstays of treatment are that reducing the excessive daytime sleepiness, preventing the intrusion of the REM related phenomena including cataplexy and consolidating the nighttime sleep. Central nervous system stimulators such as methylphenidate or amphetamine decrease excessive daytime sleepiness and tricyclic antidepressant(TCA) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI) can prevent cataplexy. Recently, new therapeutic agents such as modafinil and sodium oxybate are emerging in clinical practice with much effectiveness. Counseling for poor school performance, social isolation and depression should be provided. Early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve the quality of life. Awareness of excessive daytime sleepiness in children or adolescent will allow pediatricians to effectively identify hypersomnia such as narcolepsy.
Key Words: Narcolepsy, Diagnosis, Treatment, Children, Adolescents
TOOLS
Share :
Facebook Twitter Linked In Google+ Line it
METRICS Graph View
  • 920 View
  • 13 Download
Related articles in Ann Child Neurol

A Case of Pediatric Nephrolithiasis Associated with Topiramate Treatment.2010 May;18(1)

Pediatric Bacterial and Aseptic Meningitis in Daegu.2014 March;22(1)



ABOUT
ARTICLE CATEGORY

Browse all articles >

BROWSE ARTICLES
EDITORIAL POLICY
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Editorial Office
101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea
Tel: +82-2-2072-2364    Fax: +82-2-743-3455    E-mail: editor@annchildneurol.org                

Copyright © 2024 by Korean Child Neurology Society.

Developed in M2PI

Close layer
prev next