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Book

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS)

Farhan Shah  1 , Vikas Gupta  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
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Book

Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS)

Farhan Shah et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Kleine–Levin syndrome (KLS), also known as "Sleeping beauty syndrome," is a rare yet devastating parasomnia that includes recurrent episodes of hypersomnia, along with behavioral or cognitive abnormalities, coupled with compulsive eating and hypersexuality. In 1862, Brierre de Boismont reported the first apparent case of Kleine–Levin syndrome. The condition is named after Willi Kleine, who documented several cases of periodic hypersomnia in 1925, and Max Levin, who, in 1930, noted a case of periodic hypersomnia paired with hyperphagia.

Critchley and Hoffman actually defined the syndrome in 1942 and gave it its name after the publication of the classic paper, “The Syndrome of Periodic Somnolence and Morbid Hunger (Kleine–Levin syndrome)." It predominantly affects adolescent males with episodes usually lasting up to a few weeks and result in complete recovery. Those who are affected are asymptomatic between these episodes; however, multiple relapses may occur. Each episode can last from a week to 1 to 2 months. The duration of Kleine–Levin syndrome can vary based on the clinical manifestation of the syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Farhan Shah declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Vikas Gupta declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

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