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Sleep Disorders in Children pp 227–251Cite as

Sleep Disorders in Children: Simple Sleep-Related Movement Disorders

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Abstract

Simple sleep-related movement disorders are a group of conditions that must be differentiated from parasomnias which are more complex sleep-related movement disorders and appear goal directed but are outside the conscious awareness of the individual. Simple sleep-related movement disorders must also be distinguished from movement disorders that occur predominantly during wakefulness but may occur to a minor degree in sleep. A detailed medical history including the patient’s age at onset of symptoms and a meticulous description of the movement help to differentiate these conditions. In some cases, polysomnography and video recording are essential diagnostic tools.

There is an expanding body of research identifying genes, chromosomes, and neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of simple sleep-related movement disorders. Some of these disorders, such as isolated periodic limb movements in sleep, need not be treated at all unless they are associated with sleep disruption of the bed partner or are a presumptive cause of daytime fatigue when other causes of fatigue have been excluded. Others, including restless legs syndrome, leg cramps, and sleep-related bruxism, may require pharmacotherapy. Treatment of sleep-related movement disorders has evolved to include new collaborative roles for physicians, dentists, and other health professionals.

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Acknowledgments

I thank God and my patients for the opportunity to practice Sleep Disorders Medicine, Dr. Walters for his mentorship, friendship and expertise, my husband Professor Jonathan Stubbs for his love and support in reviewing this manuscript and our daughter Amanda for her love and never ending encouragement .

Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs, BSN, M.D.

I would like to thank our two sleep fellows at Vanderbilt Dr. Huong Pham and Dr. Noel Vargas-Perez for locating the polysomnographic examples utilized in this manuscript. I would also like to thank Dr. Kanika Bagai of Vanderbilt and Dr. Federica Provini of the University of Bologna, Italy for providing polysomnographic examples.

Arthur S. Walters, M.D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Hamilton-Stubbs’ Sleep & Total Wellness Institute, LLC, Richmond, VA, 23222-2044, USA

    Pamela E. Hamilton-Stubbs BSN, MD

  2. Division of Sleep Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Medical Center North A-0118 1161 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN, 37232-2551, USA

    Arthur S. Walters MD

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  1. Pamela E. Hamilton-Stubbs BSN, MD
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Correspondence to Arthur S. Walters MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Charles University and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

    Soňa Nevšímalová

  2. Sapienza University, S. Andrea Hospital, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Oliviero Bruni

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Hamilton-Stubbs, P.E., Walters, A.S. (2017). Sleep Disorders in Children: Simple Sleep-Related Movement Disorders. In: Nevšímalová, S., Bruni, O. (eds) Sleep Disorders in Children. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28640-2_11

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