SleepCited

Iron Metabolism and the Role of Iron Therapy in Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome.

Thomas Dye, Narong Simakajornboon
Review Sleep medicine clinics 2025 2 citations

Study Design

Study Type
Review
Population
Narrative review of iron metabolism, brain iron deficiency in the pathogenesis of restless leg syndrome, and iron therapy management in pediatric patients with RLS and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
Intervention
Iron Metabolism and the Role of Iron Therapy in Pediatric Restless Leg Syndrome. None
Comparator
None
Primary Outcome
Role of iron therapy in management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and PLMD in pediatric population
Effect Direction
Positive
Risk of Bias
Unclear

Abstract

Iron metabolism in the body is strictly regulated and organ specific. Intestinal iron absorption is mediated through complex mechanisms and is mainly regulated by a peptide called hepcidin that controls iron fluxes into plasma. Iron is transported by circulating transferrin and is stored in the protein called ferritin. Iron homeostasis in the brain is regionally regulated through complex interactions involving many genes and biochemical pathways under circadian influences. This article reviews iron metabolism and how brain iron deficiency plays a role in the pathogenesis of restless leg syndrome (RLS). The role of iron therapy in management of RLS and PLMD in pediatric population will be discussed.

TL;DR

How brain iron deficiency plays a role in the pathogenesis of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and the role of iron therapy in management of RLS and PLMD in pediatric population will be discussed.

Used In Evidence Reviews