RLS in children

[Nightwalker6]

hi all,

Just wondering if children under 5 can get RLS , how it might be diagnosed in young children & what treatments would be possible.

Thanks in advance.

[grassgree]

Yes, I had RLS as a child, although I didn't have a name for it. I slept in a bed with my sister and she complained to Dad that I kept jerking my legs. Dad understood, which makes me think he probably had it too. My my son has it now. I was also anemic as a child, probably no coincidence. The RLS went away for years (maybe after iron treatments? I can't remember) and didn't start bothering me again until my 40s (I'm 72 now). Consider having your child's iron level checked. I'd be reluctant to start drug treatment in a child, but you could be on the lookout for food triggers and stress levels to see if there is any connection.

[omyjimmylegs in reply to grassgree]

Same here. My Grandmother said I had 'growing pains'. Also was called the Jimmy Legs. Like you, it mostly went away but started to become more frequent in my mid 40's. Now in my mid-60's it's every night. NO FUN! (thanks Mom)

[SueJohnson in reply to omyjimmylegs]

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

[SueJohnson]

They certainly can. Join the RLS Foundation at rls.org for $40 and get their Handout "Healthcare and Your Child with RLS" Also a patient brochure RLS guide for Children.

Have the child's ferritin checked in the same manner one would check an adult. Ask their doctor for a full iron panel. The child should stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, not eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. Have their test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for their ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. For a child you want their ferritin to be over 75.

It would be diagnosed the same way. All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition.

[Madlegs1]

Yes, they certainly can .

I experienced it first when flying from Africa to London when 5 years old. Absolute torture.. Squirming in my seat, stamping my feet and driving the air hostess mad.

They gave me Coca cola and biscuits, which made it worse.

I now know that artificial sweetener and rising agents-- (in the biscuits) are my major triggers.

We have had many parents troubled by children's fidgettyness.

One particular case, I advised to keep a food diary for the child. Turns out it was worse at weekends and holidays!!! Ice-cream, biscuits and other goodies.

She got the child to cooperate by making it a detective game ,to find out the bad guy foods and eliminate them from her diet.

So, apart from testing for iron, I would look at triggers.

I would be very, very slow to go for any medications, If not totally opposed.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

Yes. Particularly where there's a familial connection with RLS. There have been a number of posts on this topic. Try searching this forum using the terms 'child' or 'toddler '.

[SueJohnson]

And as for adults: some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices, listening to music and yoga.

[kicker2]

Yes, I rocked myself to sleep. Violently. Pediatrcian told my mom that I was self-soothing. I am 62 years old and my assumption is that drs didn't know much about RLS-- esp in infants and kids. As an adult, I stumbled on an article written by a mother about he infant having it. She tried many things and found the most helpful was massaging her child's legs with lavendar essential oil. She massaged the legs until her child fell asleep.

[RLSLearner]

I was wanting to drop in the RSL foundation kids info but dont know how. Is the picture of the mountains supposed to let you do it?

[SueJohnson in reply to RLSLearner]

If you are a member, log in and click on publications.

[RLSLearner in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, I have the publications but dont know how to upload here.

[Munroist]

Hi. This link to the UK RLS site might be useful

rls-uk.org/rls-in-children

[Eryl]

In most cases RLS is caused by inflammation of the nerves caused by our food so yes children once weaned can suffer from RLS. The most likely foods are those containg refined sugars and starches and refined seed ois as ell as artificial preservatives (e.g. E202 Potassium Sorbate)