Narcolepsy: diagnosis and management in early childhood

This paper provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of narcolepsy in early childhood. Focusing on the case literature for children aged eight years and under the paper reviews aspects of the pathophysiology, clinical symptomology and clinical management of the illness. In addition factors critical to the differential diagnosis of narcolepsy from a range of other pediatric illnesses are discussed. The literature examining the psychosocial implications of the disorder for children is also presented. Two major themes emerge from this review (i) the need for a reconceptualisation of the current diagnostic criteria for narcolepsy to allow for the observed heterogeneity and developmental variability of childhood onset narcolepsy, and, (ii) the need for increased attention to the psychosocial difficulties experienced by children in adjusting to this chronic illness.