Restless Legs Syndrome

The symptoms of RLS are usually worse at night when a child is lying in bed. Children often have difficulty falling asleep and are restless in bed with complaints of leg discomfort. Some children may report these symptoms as “spiders crawling” or an urge to shake the legs or walk around to relieve the discomfort.

Other symptoms of RLS include:

• Frequent leg kicking during sleep
• Tossing and turning in bed
• Bubbling, pulling or tugging sensation in the legs
• Burning or searing sensation in the legs
• Aching, throbbing or pain in the legs
• Itching or gnawing feeling in the legs

RLS can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. A child may resist normal bedtime and refuse to go to sleep until late at night. Because the child is not sleeping well, there may also be behavioral changes that include:

• Aggression
• Poor concentration
• Hyperactivity
• Daytime sleepiness

Symptoms may also be caused by periods of inactivity such as long car trips, sitting in a movie theater, long-distance flights or immobilization in a cast. Parents may mistake these symptoms for “growing pains” or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome

To diagnose RLS, a pediatric neurologist or sleep medicine specialist can help evaluate your child’s symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment. The four basic diagnostic criteria are:

• Symptoms are worse at night, can occur during the day and are absent or minor in the morning
• Overwhelming need or urge to move the legs
• Symptoms are triggered by rest, relaxation or sleep
• Symptoms are temporarily relieved with movement