Search

Introduction The clinical and polysomnographic meaning of the Alternating Leg Muscle Activation (ALMA) and Hypnagogic Foot Tremor (HFT) patterns in children is not known. Methods A descriptive study was carried out to identify the prevalence and polysomnographic characteristics of ALMA and HFT sequences in a sample of 122 children sequentially admitted in the sleep laboratory, with the analysis of clinical and demographic characteristics of the ALMA/HFT group in relation to a comparison group without this condition, paired by age and gender. Results Sample prevalence was 14.8% for any HFT/ALMA event, 13.1% for ALMA and 10.7% for HFT. In the HFT/ALMA group, the mean age was 8 years old (2-12 years old), 66.7% of males. Obstructive Sleep Apnea was observed in 75% of children, but HFT / ALMA sequences only occasionally occurred in association with respiratory events. The use of medications with monoaminergic activity was associated with the occurrence of HFT/ALMA, p=0,019. There was higher N1 sleep content in the HFT / ALMA group, p=0,0301. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the other clinical-demographic or polysomnographic parameters analyzed. Autonomic activation represented by heart rate fluctuations often occurred in association with the HFT / ALMA sequences, irrespective of the occurrence of arousals, awakenings, other motor or respiratory events. Conclusion HFT / ALMA is a frequent condition in children that are referred to the sleep lab.The stereotypy of the HFT / ALMA series suggests that their origin might be motor central pattern generators, which are potentially influenced by substances with monoaminergic effect. The finding of higher superficial sleep content in children with HFT / ALMA may indicate greater susceptibility to alteration of pediatric sleep architecture by such subtle motor events. The possibility of clinical consequences and cardiovascular diseases should be considered in relation to the association of HFT / ALMA with observed autonomic activation. Support None.