Psychosocial and intellectual functioning in childhood narcolepsy.

PURPOSE

This study reports the psychological assessment of 12 children referred to a narcolepsy clinic, using quantitative methods to describe intellectual and psychosocial functioning in childhood narcolepsy.

METHODS

The participants were six males and six females aged between 7-16 years (median age 10 years). The protocol included a clinical interview; the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III-UK; and the Parent version of the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).

RESULTS

Eleven children obtained an IQ in the average range (mean and median =100). However, a significant difference was found between verbal and performance scales in 42% of children, compared to WISC-III normative prevalence rates of 24%. CBCL results revealed that 10/12 children scored in the clinically significant range on the Total Score Index, with 9/12 obtaining scores in the significant range on the Internalizing Index. The majority of children presented with difficulties in discussing and describing distressing physical and psychological symptoms with parents and others.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the psychosocial impact of narcolepsy extends beyond the effects of excessive sleepiness and that symptoms such as hallucinations can lead to significant psychological morbidity.