They also perform a physical examination and may order blood tests.
The researchers report that problems with sleep caused by narcolepsy may lead to obesity, earlier onset of puberty, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD.Ĭhildren with narcolepsy may also have higher rates of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.įirst, a healthcare professional, who may be a sleep specialist, takes a detailed medical history and asks about the child’s sleep history and their symptoms. And it may cause sleep paralysis, a feeling of being unable to move as the body transitions from sleep to wakefulness. The authors of the review also note that narcolepsy may cause hallucinations in children when they are falling asleep or waking up. Symptoms of narcolepsy in children and adolescents can appear differently, compared with how they appear in adults.Īccording to a 2018 review, children and adolescents with narcolepsy may exhibit:
Another name is “narcolepsy without cataplexy.” Narcolepsy that causes excessive sleepiness, or sleep attacks, is type 2. Another name for it is “narcolepsy with cataplexy.” Around 70% of people with narcolepsy have this type. If narcolepsy occurs with sudden, temporary loss of muscle control or sudden muscle weakness, doctors call this type 1 narcolepsy.
