Narcolepsy, Precocious Puberty and Obesity in the Pediatric Population: a Literature Review

Author(s)

Maia Palhano, Ana Clara ^[1] ; Kim, Lenise Jihe ^[2] ; Moreira, Gustavo A. ^[2] ; Santos Coelho, Fernando Morgadinho ^{[2, 3]} ; Tufik, Sergio ^[2] ; Andersen, Monica Levy ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Fac Med Marilia, Marilia, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol & Neurocirurgia, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY REVIEWS PER; v. 16, n. 2, p. 266-274, DEC 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. The onset of the symptoms usually occurs in childhood, and previous studies have reported an association between narcolepsy and other endocrine diseases in the pediatric population, such as obesity and precocious puberty. The incidence of overweight or obesity ranges from 25% to 74% in patients with narcolepsy type I, while precocious puberty is present in 17% of children with narcolepsy with cataplexy. However, the mechanisms involved in the association of narcolepsy with obesity and precocious puberty have not been fully elucidated yet. In this review, we aimed to discuss narcolepsy in pediatric populations, highlighting the diagnostic difficulties and the complexity of the possible mechanisms that can relate narcolepsy to precocious puberty and obesity. We also emphasized the fact that endocrine diseases must be taken into consideration in children diagnosed with narcolepsy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/19136-5 - Effects of excessive daytime sleepiness or insomnia associated with obstructive sleep apnea on the cardiovascular risk: a prospective longitudinal population-based study
• Grantee: Lenise Jihe Kim
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate