Narcolepsy-cataplexy in children: Report of two cases

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Koul, Roshan | Al-Othmani, Farhana Ishaq | Alfutaisi, Amna | Alabri, Mohammed | Alzakwani, Ibrahim

Affiliations: Department of Child Health (Neurology), Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman | Department of Sleep Medicine and Clinical Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman | Department of Pharmacy, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman

Note: [] Correspondence: Prof. Roshan Koul, Department of Child Health (Neurology), Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman. Tel.: +968 992 10428; Fax: +968 244 13128; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Narcolepsy is a disorder of the sleep-wake cycle with long-term sequale. It is under recognized in children. Two children with narcolepsy/cataplexy are reported. Both were treated outside initially for epilepsy. Both are reasonably well on follow up. Narcolepsy and cataplexy is uncommon in children and should be considered when a child presents with typical history of excessive sleepiness, or odd features of epilepsy.

Keywords: Narcolepsy, cataplexy, children, methylphenidate, sodium oxybate

DOI: 10.3233/JPN-2009-0326

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Neurology, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 389-391, 2009