Kleine-levin syndrome: A rare case and review

• Main Authors: Falguni B Patel, Parlin M Dadhaniya, Manasvi V Jariwala, Bhaveshkumar M Lakdawala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Annals of Indian Psychiatry
• Subjects: Hypersomnolence; Kleine–Levin syndrome; lithium; mood disturbance
• Online Access: http://www.anip.co.in/article.asp?issn=2588-8358;year=2019;volume=3;issue=1;spage=58;epage=59;aulast=Patel
• ISSN: 2588-8358; 2588-8366

Kleine–Levin syndrome (KLS), also known as sleeping beauty syndrome, is a rare disorder with unknown etiology. The syndrome is characterized by hypersomnolence and may be associated with hypersexuality, hyperphagia and cognitive or mood changes. Fever, head trauma and stress may be the precipitating factors. The case here is a 15-year-old male patient who presented with excessive sleepiness, hypersexual behavior, excessive food intake and mood changes. These symptoms started after becoming afebrile from high-grade fever. Multiple investigations done were within normal limits. He did not respond to valproate, olanzapine and lorazepam. Spontaneous remission and reemergence of symptoms after 2 weeks were noted. By clinical history, normal investigations and exclusion of other mental and medical disorders, he was diagnosed to have KLS. Reviewing literature, lithium therapy was found to be beneficial in KLS. Hence, lithium was given in this patient to which he responded well.