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Cluster headaches simulating parasomnias
1Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Insights
Night terrors in children can signal underlying issues. This study found four children whose agitated arousal episodes were actually nocturnal cluster headaches, effectively treated with indomethacin.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Headache Disorders
Background:
- Nocturnal episodes of agitated arousal in children are typically nonrapid eye movement parasomnias, commonly known as night terrors.
- It is crucial to rule out organic causes of discomfort when parasomnias present with acute onset or increased frequency.
Observation:
- Four young children experienced parasomnias that were later identified as nocturnal cluster headaches.
- These episodes manifested as agitated arousals during sleep.
Findings:
- The children's parasomnias were definitively linked to nocturnal cluster headaches.
- Treatment with indomethacin resulted in a dramatic improvement in symptoms for all four patients.
Implications:
- This highlights the importance of considering nocturnal cluster headaches in the differential diagnosis of childhood parasomnias.
- Early identification and treatment with indomethacin can effectively manage these episodes, improving quality of life for affected children and families.
Abstract:
Nocturnal episodes of agitated arousal in otherwise healthy young children are often related to nonrapid eye movement parasomnias (night terrors). However, in patients with acute onset or increased frequency of parasomnias, organic causes of discomfort must be excluded. We report four young children whose parasomnias were caused by nocturnal cluster headaches and who responded to indomethacin dramatically.