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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 15, 2025

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns

Published on: October 24, 2019

Sleep terrors-A parental nightmare.

Federica Gigliotti¹, Dario Esposito¹, Consuelo Basile¹

¹Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Pediatric Pulmonology

|March 1, 2021

Summary

Sleep terrors (STs) are disruptive sleep disorders that can affect children and adults. Understanding their causes and triggers is key to diagnosis and management, even though they are often considered benign.

Keywords:

NREM parasomnias disorders of arousal sleep terrors

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Pediatrics

Background:

Sleep terrors (STs) are characterized by abrupt arousal during sleep with autonomic hyperactivity.
While common in childhood (ages 4-12), STs can persist into adulthood.
The precise etiology remains unknown, with proposed genetic and neurodevelopmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, comorbidities, and treatment of sleep terrors.
To highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis to differentiate STs from other conditions like nocturnal seizures.
To discuss the potential impact of STs on children and caregivers.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing studies on sleep terrors.
Analysis of proposed pathophysiological models, including predisposing, priming, and precipitating factors.
Summary of diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses for STs.

Main Results:

A pathophysiological model involving predisposing, priming, and precipitating factors can help explain and prevent STs.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial as conditions like other parasomnias or nocturnal seizures can mimic STs.
Comorbid medical and psychological disorders can be associated with STs.

Conclusions:

Sleep terrors, though often considered benign, require proper diagnosis and management.
Understanding the multifactorial nature of STs aids in developing effective interventions.
The impact of STs extends beyond the individual, affecting caregivers as well.