Restless legs syndrome is fairly common in children and teenagers, occurring more often than diabetes or epilepsy, new research indicates.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an intolerable internal feeling of itching or creeping sensations in the legs that forces the affected person to move his or her legs to get relief. It usually occurs at the end of the day in bed or when seated.

Up to 10 percent of adults in the US and Western Europe are thought to have RLS, but the occurrence rate and impact of the disorder in children and adolescents is unclear, Dr. Daniel Picchietti, from the University of Illinois in Urbana, and colleagues note in their report in the medical journal Pediatrics.

The team analyzed data from 10,523 families who were surveyed about RLS symptoms and found that 1 percent of 8-to-11 year-olds and 2 percent of 12-to-17 years had RLS, based on standard National Institutes of Health criteria. Moderate to severe RLS occurring at least twice a week was reported by 0.5 percent of subjects in the younger group and by 1percent in the older group.

Boys and girls were about equally affected, and RLS seemed to be connected to growing pains.

The researchers report that more than 70 percent of affected children had at least one biological parent with RLS, and 16 percent had both parents with RLS.

Roughly 50 percent of affected children reported that RLS adversely affected their mood.

In a related editorial, Dr. Nathan J. Blum and Dr. Thornton B. A. Mason, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, comment that the researchers “have conducted the largest assessment of RLS in children and adolescents to date.” They say it’s important for doctors to be aware “of this relatively common and underdiagnosed disorder.”

SOURCE: Pediatrics, August 2007.