A Pediatric Case Report: Three-Year-Old Girl Diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy

Author(s): Annie Kincaid, RN, MSN, FNP-C, S. Kamal Naqvi, MD

Narcolepsy with cataplexy is a lifelong disorder of the central nervous system characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and disrupted nocturnal sleep [1]. We present a case report of a three-year-old girl diagnosed with narcolepsy 7 months after symptoms surfaced, successfully treated with methylphenidate and venlafaxine. The patient underwent a Polysomnography (PSG) followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). She underwent a brain MRI and a full montage video- electroencephalogram (EEG). Laboratory tests were performed, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Actigraphy was also obtained as was the modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale.