Abstract
Narcolepsy is primarily characterized by an overwhelming feeling of sleepiness with or without cataplexy. More recently, there has been a dramatic increase in newly diagnosed childhood narcolepsy and it is hypothesized that H1N1 may play a role in these new cases. The objective of this study is to review the demographics and presenting symptoms of children with narcolepsy in Toronto.
Methods: At the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, we reviewed medical records and polysomnograms of patients with narcolepsy who presented to the sleep disorders clinic. All patients were referred with a history of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Results:
Conclusion: All patients had excessive daytime sleepiness. Interestingly over half of these young patients had cataplexy on presentation. H1N1 vaccination was not given to the majority of these patients. More research is needed to understand the recent increase in the prevalence of childhood narcolepsy with cataplexy.
- © 2012 ERS
