NARCOLEPSY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Narcolepsy is rarely diagnosed before adulthood; however, symptoms oft en begin much earlier and easily can mimic psychiatric disorders in ch ildren and adolescents. Clinical experience from a pediatric sleep cen ter is reviewed regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment o f early-onset narcolepsy. The varied clinical presentations, polysomno graphic findings, family history, and associated psychiatric symptoms are described. The importance of considering narcolepsy in the differe ntial diagnosis of any child or adolescent with excessive sleepiness i s emphasized.