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. 2006 Dec;2(4):393–405. doi: 10.2147/nedt.2006.2.4.393

Table 2.

Diagnostic criteria for childhood restless legs syndrome(RLS) (Walters 1995; Allen et al 2003)

Definite childhood RLS

  1. The child meets all 4 essential adult criteria for RLS (see Table 1), and

  2. The child relates a description in his or her own words that is consistent with leg discomfort

or

  1. The child meets all 4 essential adult criteria for RLS (see Table 1), and

  2. Two of 3 following supportive criteria are present:
    1. Sleep disturbance for age
    2. A biological parent or sibling has definite RLS
    3. The child has a polysomnographically documented periodic limb movement index of 5 or more per hour of sleep.

Probable childhood RLS

  1. The child meets all essential adult criteria for RLS, except criterion #4 (the urge to move or sensations are worse in the evening or at night than during the day), and

  2. The child has a biological parent or sibling with definite RLS

or

  1. The child is observed to have behavior manifestations of lower extremity discomfort when sitting or lying, accompanied by motor movement of the affected limbs, the discomfort has characteristics of adult criteria 2, 3, and 4 (ie, is worse during rest and inactivity, relieved by movement, and worse during the evening and at night), and

  2. The child has a biological parent or sibling with definite RLS.