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[Parasomnias in pediatrics]

Víctor A Gaona1

  • 1Departamento de Neuropediatría, Centro Médico La Costa, Asunción, Paraguay.

Medicina
|October 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Parasomnias are sleep-related events causing distress and confusion with other conditions. Accurate diagnosis and management are crucial, especially in children, to prevent complications.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Parasomnias are sleep disorders involving abnormal behaviors during sleep or wakefulness.
  • They can cause significant distress to individuals and observers, leading to numerous medical consultations.
  • Differentiating parasomnias from conditions like epilepsy requires careful clinical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define parasomnias and their classification.
  • To highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and management.
  • To emphasize the impact of parasomnias on child development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the definition and etymology of parasomnias.
  • Discussion of clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges.
  • Classification of parasomnias according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3).

Main Results:

  • Parasomnias are categorized into REM sleep, non-REM sleep, and other specified types.
  • Triggers include febrile processes, medications, emotional disturbances, and respiratory issues.
  • Familial patterns and associations with neurodevelopmental disorders are noted.

Conclusions:

  • Parasomnias are common and require thorough investigation.
  • Proper understanding and management are essential for preventing complications, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Accurate diagnosis is key to differentiating from conditions like epilepsy.

Keywords:
NREM parasomniasREM parasomniaspolysomnographysleep

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