Non-Rapid Eye Movement Arousal Parasomnias in Children.
Vijayabharathi Ekambaram, Kiran Maski
Pediatric annals September 1, 2017 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20170814-01 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Humans Parasomnias Diagnosis, differential Arousal Sleep stages Adolescent Child, preschool United states |
| Key findings | The review presents NREM arousal parasomnias as the most common pediatric parasomnias and describes their epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. The authors argue that clinicians should distinguish these disorders from nocturnal frontal lobe seizures to avoid diagnostic delays and inappropriate medication exposure. |
Abstract
Parasomnia is a common pediatric sleep disorder that can cause parents or caregivers distress when experienced by their children. Based on the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, parasomnias can be divided into two subgroups: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias and rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias. REM sleep parasomnias include nightmares, REM behavior disorder, and sleep paralysis, whereas NREM sleep parasomnias include disorders of arousal such as confusional arousals, sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors, and sleep-related eating disorder. This review focuses on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common form of parasomnias-NREM arousal parasomnias. Additionally, this review aims to help clinicians distinguish NREM parasomnias from nocturnal frontal lobe seizures, as this distinction is important to avoid diagnostic delays and inappropriate medication exposure. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(9):e327-e331.].