Suresh Kotagal, M.D.

Location: Minnesota

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequently under-recognized in children as a cause of insomnia, inattentiveness and daytime fatigue. I am currently characterizing the clinical features of childhood-onset RLS. Thus far we have observed that it is inherited in about three-fourths of the subjects, that mothers are more likely to be the affected parents than fathers, and that there is a strong link between childhood RLS and systemic iron deficiency. Studies on the long-term outcome of childhood RLS and clinical treatment trials are being planned.

Narcolepsy-cataplexy is a disabling disorder that affects both adults and adolescents. It leads to severe daytime sleepiness and frequent episodes of muscle weakness in response to emotional triggers. We are currently evaluating the effectivess of open label treatment of this disorder with sodium oxybate.

Children with epilepsy frequently manifest sleep complaints, especially difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. There are no in-depth studies about the nature of these sleep problems. We are evaluating this link between sleep complaints and epilepsy on a prospective basis using a questionnaire survey.

Fellowship – Sleep Disorders Medicine
Sleep Disorders Center, Stanford University Medical Center

Fellowship – Pediatric Neurology
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center

Residency – Pediatrics
Children's Hospital of Michigan

Internship – Pediatrics
Children's Hospital of Michigan

House Officer – Neurology
Safdarjung Hospital

Internship
Safdarjung Hospital

MB BS
Armed Forces Medical College, University Pune

Pre-Medical
D.A.V. College, Jalandhar