Symptoms of Night Terror
Establishing a sleep schedule for a baby is a daunting task for new parents. Much to a parent's delight, an infant will eventually establish a fairly predictable sleep routine. At about 18 months, however, a toddler may begin waking shortly after bedtime in an inconsolable panic. These episodes are called night terrors, can last until age 12 and can disrupt families.
Other People Are Reading
-
Normal Sleep
-
Normal sleep includes rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. Non-REM sleep has four stages, and night terrors occur during the transition from stage 3 non-REM sleep to stage 4 non-REM sleep, which is approximately 90 minutes to two hours after the child falls asleep
Symptoms
-
Night terrors are characterized by sudden awakening from sleep, intense crying and fear, disorientation, confusion, increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating. Although the child opens his eyes and makes eye contact, he usually does not talk. He is actually still asleep, is difficult to arouse and does not seem aware of a parent's presence. The child is extremely difficult to comfort, and the episodes can last up to 30 minutes. The next day, the child is unable to remember any unpleasant dream and has no recollection of the episode.
-
Comparison to Nightmares
-
Nightmares are a normal part of early childhood development and are distinct from night terrors. Nightmares occur most often in the early morning when the child is in or awakening from REM sleep. Unlike with night terrors, children who awaken with nightmares remember an unpleasant dream and are generally consolable.
Incidence and Risk Factors
-
Night terrors begin at approximately 18 months, peak at age 3 and can occur in children up to age 12. Excessive fatigue, stress and an irregular sleep schedule put children at risk for night terrors.
Treatment
-
Night terrors can sometimes be prevented by scheduled awakenings. Waking a child approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the usual nighttime episode causes the child to bypass the transition from stage 3 to stage 4 non-REM sleep and move into REM sleep.
Even though the child is inconsolable, a parent can comfort and reassure the child until she drifts back to sleep.
Call your doctor if the episodes are persistent and frequent enough to disrupt sleep and impair the child's function during the day. Some children may need psychological evaluation.
-
References
- Toddler 411; D. Fields and A. Brown; 2007
- Sleep Problems in Children
- Clinical Pediatrics; The Natural History of Night Terrors; FJ DiMario and ES Emery; 1987
