Parasomnias--an update

O F D'Cruz1, B V Vaughn

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.

Insights

Primary parasomnias in children are sleep disorders triggered by various stimuli. Management focuses on reducing frequency and consequences, especially when co-occurring with other clinical disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Primary parasomnias are common in children, often provoked by physical, psychosocial, or environmental factors.
  • Diagnosis typically does not require extensive investigations in healthy children.
  • Distinguishing parasomnias from symptoms of co-existing disorders is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent literature on primary parasomnias in children.
  • To outline a clinical approach for managing parasomnias in children with co-existing disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on pediatric parasomnias.
  • Clinical case-oriented approach to management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Parasomnias in otherwise healthy children often do not need further investigation.
  • Treatment aims to decrease parasomnia frequency and impact.
  • Careful differentiation from underlying conditions is necessary for co-morbid cases.

Conclusions:

  • Management of primary parasomnias in children should be tailored to individual needs.
  • A clinical approach is essential for managing parasomnias in children with co-existing medical or psychological conditions.

Related Concept Videos

Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...