Advances in Narcolepsy Syndrome and Challenges in the Pediatric Population

Narcolepsy onset occurs most commonly in the second decade but presents a diagnostic challenge when it starts in prepubertal children. The diagnosis is particularly difficult to establish in very young individuals (<5 years of age). Clinical neurophysiologic tests are not very useful in such cases, and recent studies challenge the findings of Multiple Sleep Latency Tests administered to younger and older children. CSF dosage of hypocretin may be helpful. Advances and challenges in pediatric narcolepsy are presented in the report.