Narcolepsy in children

Posted by Doctor Ma Van Tham - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Sleep is a natural physiological need of humans to balance endogenous and exogenous factors. Sleep disorders in children, including narcolepsy, if not detected and corrected in time, will greatly affect the physical and mental development of children.

Sleep helps the body recover and grow. During sleep, the anterior pituitary gland in the brain of children secretes growth hormone. Sleep is especially important for children's brain development.
On each night, there will be about 4 to 6 alternating REM and non-REM cycles. Each sleep cycle usually lasts about 90-120 minutes. Late at night, REM sleep will become longer and non-REM sleep will become shorter.
Non-REM sleep ie deep sleep can be understood as stage 1, 2, 3 or 4. If in stage 1, 2, non-REM sleep is light sleep then in stage 3, 4, it is deep sleep. Therefore, if you encounter the effects and stimulation before going to bed, you will find it very difficult to fall asleep.

Narcolepsy is one of the most common sleep disorders in children. Symptoms of narcolepsy in children include:
Uncontrollable episodes of excessive sleepiness that interfere with daily functioning. Babies go straight to REM sleep. Common in adolescence, prevalence 3-16/10,000 Associated with a form of human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR2 found in 90–100% of narcolepsy patients and only 10–35% of individuals Unaffected. A recent study found that narcolepsy patients were deficient in the neurotransmitter hypocretin, which stimulates appetite and wakefulness. Other research has shown that the number of hypocretin neurons (Hrct cells) in narcolepsy is 85-95% lower than in brains without narcolepsy.

Treatment of narcolepsy in children includes:
3.1 Behavioral adjustment Sleep by schedule, life adjustment, psychological guidance, A mandatory daytime napping regimen occasionally helps patients with narcolepsy, and we don't use drugs in most cases.
3.2 Treatment with Modafinil (Provigil), an FDA-approved a1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, reduces the number of episodes of sleep and improves psychomotor performance in TAD and SSRIs to control REM sleep.

Parents can refer to a few principles to help ensure sleep for their children such as:
Set a specific bedtime and wake-up time for children. Sleep and wake up times should be at the same time during school and outdoor nights school. The difference is not more than 1 hour from day to day. Avoid high energy consuming activities before bed. Don't go to bed hungry, but avoid overeating. Avoid caffeine products before bed. Spend time outside each day and engage in regular exercise. Keep the bedroom quiet and dark, with a comfortable temperature Do not use the bedroom as a place to intimidate or punish children. Keep the TV out of the child's bedroom. Use the bed only for sleeping. Do not study, read, or watch TV in bed. Relaxing, calm, enjoyable activities help children sleep better. In addition to helping children eat well and sleep well, parents should pay special attention to nutrition, supplementing with lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, group vitamins. B, .. help support the immune system, enhance resistance to less minor illness.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.