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The Parasomnias

Oliviero Bruni1, Lourdes M DelRosso2, Maria Grazia Melegari1

  • 1Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome 00185, Italy.

The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|February 1, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Parasomnias, common in childhood, often resolve naturally. Early management involves sleep hygiene and regular schedules, with expert referral for complex cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Parasomnias are common sleep disorders in children, often resolving spontaneously.
  • Diagnosis of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias relies on clinical descriptions and can be difficult.
  • Rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias may indicate underlying psychiatric conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation and management of parasomnias in children.
  • To emphasize the importance of recognizing parasomnias and their potential impact on quality of life.
  • To guide pediatricians and child psychiatrists in initial management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical descriptors for NREM and REM parasomnias.
  • Discussion of diagnostic challenges.
  • Outline of initial management approaches for pediatric parasomnias.

Main Results:

  • Parasomnias typically emerge in childhood and frequently resolve without intervention.
  • Accurate diagnosis, particularly for NREM parasomnias, can be challenging.
  • REM-related parasomnias may be associated with psychiatric comorbidities.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatricians and child psychiatrists need to be knowledgeable about parasomnias.
  • Initial management should focus on sleep hygiene, avoiding sleep deprivation, and consistent sleep schedules.
  • Referral to a sleep specialist is recommended when treatment requires specialized expertise.

Keywords:
Confusional arousalsNREM parasomniasREM-related parasomniasSleep enuresisSleep terrorsSleepwalking

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