Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
The prevalence of parasomnias in preadolescent school-aged children: a Turkish sample
Mehmet Y Agargun1, Ali Savas Cilli, Sahnur Sener
1Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine Department of Psychiatry Van, Turkey. myagargun@kure.com.tr
Insights
Parasomnia affects nearly one in six children aged 7-11, with bruxism, enuresis, and night terrors being most common. These sleep disorders are linked to past illnesses and neurobehavioral issues in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders that can affect children's well-being.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of pediatric parasomnias is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of parasomnias in children aged 7 to 11 years.
- To investigate the association between parasomnias and medical/neurobehavioral characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A pediatric sleep questionnaire assessing 27 parasomnia items was administered to parents and children.
- Interviews were conducted to gather data on medical history, neurodevelopment, and psychosocial factors.
- 971 preadolescent children from four Turkish locations participated.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of parasomnia was 14.4%, affecting approximately one in six children.
- Bruxism, nocturnal enuresis, and night terrors were the most frequent parasomnias.
- Parasomnias were more prevalent in 9- and 10-year-olds and associated with a history of physical illness, delayed toilet training, behavioral disturbances, adjustment problems, and learning difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Parasomnia prevalence is significant in preadolescent children, particularly those aged 9-10.
- Parasomnias are linked to a history of physical illness and neurobehavioral abnormalities, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment.
Study Objectives:
To survey the prevalence of parasomnias in a population of children aged 7 to 11 years and to determine whether parasomnias are associated with medical and neurobehavioral properties.
Design:
Parents and children completed a pediatric sleep questionnaire that contains 27 items developed by the authors to assess parasomnias in children. Parents and children were also interviewed about the children's medical and sociofamilial history, schooling, psychological difficulties, medication intake, and the history of psychomotor and psychosocial development.
Setting:
NA PARTICIPANTS: 971 preadolescent school-aged children from 4 locations in Turkey participated in the study.
Results:
We found a 14.4% prevalence of parasomnia in preadolescent school-aged children. Almost every sixth child had about at least 1 parasomnia. When we examined parasomnias separately, bruxism, nocturnal enuresis, and night terrors were the most common parasomnias among both girls and boys. The prevalence of parasomnias was higher in the 9- and 10-year-old age groups than in the other age groups. Girls and boys did not differ. Children with parasomnias had higher rates of past physical illness, delays in toilet raining, behavior disturbances, adjustment problems, and learning difficulties.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that the prevalence of parasomnias was high in the 9- and 10-year-old age groups. Parasomnias are associated with a history of physical illness and neurobehavioral abnormalities.
