Symptoms and Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children

Children and adolescents with ME/CFS mostly have the same symptoms as adults. Some differences are:

Children, especially adolescents, with ME/CFS have orthostatic intolerance (dizziness and lightheadedness and other symptoms that are triggered when standing up and sometimes also sitting upright) more often than adults. It is often the most unbearable symptom and may make other symptoms of ME/CFS worse.
Sleep problems in young children may show up as a lack of their usual energy. In adolescents with ME/CFS, sleep problems may be hard to detect, as sleep cycles change during puberty. Many adolescents begin to stay up late and often have trouble waking up early. The demands of classes, homework, after-school jobs, and social activities also affect sleep. Common sleep complaints in children and adolescents with ME/CFS include:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Intense and vivid dreaming
Unlike adults with ME/CFS, children and adolescents with ME/CFS do not usually have muscle and joint pain. Yet headaches and stomach pain may be more common in this age group. Younger children may not be able to describe the pain well.
In children, particularly in adolescents, ME/CFS is more likely to start after an acute illness, like the flu or mononucleosis. Sometimes, ME/CFS in children might begin gradually.