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Just a scary dream? A brief review of sleep terrors, nightmares, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

Mark Haupt, Stephen H Sheldon, Darius Loghmanee

    Pediatric Annals
    |October 16, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pediatric sleep disorders, including sleep terrors, nightmares, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), are common. This article helps differentiate these conditions and manage their impact on children's quality of life.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
    • Neurology
    • Child Psychology

    Background:

    • Sleep disorders in children encompass a wide range, from snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to complex behaviors.
    • Parasomnias, such as sleep talking, sleepwalking, and night terrors, are common complaints in pediatric practice.
    • These disorders, often occurring during sleep-wake transitions, involve abnormal motor, behavioral, or sensory symptoms.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe the clinical features of common pediatric parasomnias.
    • To differentiate between sleep terrors, nightmares, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
    • To provide guidance for general pediatricians managing these sleep disorders.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of clinical presentations of pediatric parasomnias.
    • Comparison of diagnostic criteria for sleep terrors, nightmares, and RBD.
    • Discussion of differentiating features and management strategies.

    Main Results:

    • Parasomnias, including sleep terrors, nightmares, and RBD, are prevalent in children.
    • These conditions can manifest with disruptive and potentially dangerous symptoms, impacting quality of life.
    • Clinical differentiation is crucial for appropriate management.

    Conclusions:

    • Pediatricians frequently encounter parasomnias like sleep terrors, nightmares, and RBD.
    • Understanding the distinct clinical features aids in accurate diagnosis and management.
    • Early identification and intervention can mitigate negative impacts on children's well-being.

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