Restless legs syndrome in childhood: A case report [Çocukluk çaginda huzursuz bacak sendromu: Bir vaka takdimi]

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological movement disorder characterized by a distressing desire to move legs or sometimes other extremities, associated with a marked sense of discomfort usually in the leg or other affected body part. It follows a circadian pattern and the symptoms worsen at rest, in the evening or at night and there is at least momentary relief by activity. Genetic and environmental factors cause the restless legs syndrome. Recent researches have achieved the definition of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the disorder. It is suggested that iron deficiency is a primary factor in the development of the symptoms. Because the symptoms become much worse at night while sleeping, it causes sleep disturbance and so it may severely disrupt normal life functioning. Although it is more common in adult life, it may occur more frequently in children than previously recognized. This syndrome is a clinical diagnosis that relies entirely on the patient's symptoms, thus the interviews should involve a general medical history about the associated features. Especially in the children experiencing sleep disturbance or growing pain, restless legs syndrome must also be considered in the differential diagnosis