Pediatric Sleepwalking – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments

Most children do sleep an hour or two after falling asleep. Episodes of Pediatric Sleepwalking usually last five to 15 minutes. This behavior is typically harmless and most children grow out of it. But it can be dangerous if not resolved. It is important to protect your child from injury as a result of Pediatric Sleepwalking .

Causes of Pediatric Sleepwalking: There are a number of factors that can contribute to Pediatric Sleepwalking . Common causes include:

• Tiredness or lack of sleep
• Irregular sleep habits
• stress or anxiety
• Being in a different sleep environment
• illness or fever
• Certain medications, including sedatives, stimulants, and antihistamines
• Genetic factors (family history of sleepwalking )

Although uncommon, Pediatric Sleepwalking can be a symptom of an underlying condition. These conditions may include:

• Sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for short periods during the night)
• Night terrors (dramatic nightmares that occur in deep sleep )
• migraines
• restless legs syndrome
• head injuries

Symptoms of Pediatric Sleepwalking: Children walking during sleep may be the most common symptom of Pediatric Sleepwalking , but there are other actions associated with this condition.

Symptoms of Pediatric Sleepwalking can include:

• Sit on the bed and repeat movements
• Get up and walk around the house
• Talking or muttering in your sleep
• Not answering when called
• make clumsy movements
• Urinating in inappropriate places
• Perform routine or repetitive behaviors, such as opening and closing doors

Pediatric Sleepwalking Diagnoses: Typically, a doctor can diagnose Pediatric Sleepwalking based on accounts from other family members about the child’s behavior. Generally, no treatment is needed. Your doctor may want to perform a physical and psychological exam to rule out other conditions that can cause Pediatric Sleepwalking . If another medical issue is causing your child’s Pediatric Sleepwalking , treatment is needed for the underlying issue.

If the doctor suspects another sleep problem , such as sleep apnea or night terrors, a sleep study may be ordered. A sleep study involves spending the night in a sleep lab . Electrodes are attached to certain parts of the child’s body to measure heart rate, brain waves, breathing rate, muscle tension, eye and leg movement, and blood oxygen level. A camera can also record the child as they sleep.

If Pediatric Sleepwalking is problematic, your doctor may recommend using a technique called scheduled awakening. This involves monitoring your child for a few nights to determine when sleepwalking usually occurs and then waking your child from sleep 15 minutes earlier than expected sleepwalking . This can help reset the child’s sleep cycle and control sleepwalking behavior.

If Pediatric Sleepwalking is causing dangerous behaviors or excessive fatigue, a doctor may prescribe medications, such as benzodiazepines (psychoactive medications typically prescribed to treat anxiety) or antidepressants.

Pediatric Sleepwalking Treatments: If you notice your child sleepy, try gently guiding him or her back to bed. Do not try to wake the sleepwalker, as this can aggravate them. Instead, simply reassure your child with words and help them get back to bed.

There are also safety measures that can be applied throughout the home to help protect your child. These include:

• Close and lock all doors and windows at night
• Installing alarms on doors and windows or installing locks out of your child’s reach
• Remove items that could be a tripping hazard
• Remove sharp and breakable objects from around your child’s bed
• Don’t let your child sleep in a bunk bed
• Install security gates in front of stairs or doors
• Lower the temperature on the hot water heater to prevent burns
• Keep keys out of reach

Preventing Pediatric Sleepwalking: Helping Your Child Develop Good Sleep Habits and Relaxation Techniques Can Help Avoid Sleepwalking Helping your child develop good sleep habits and relaxation techniques can help prevent sleepwalking.

Try the following to help prevent Pediatric Sleepwalking :

• Go to bed at the same time every night
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine , such as taking a hot shower or listening to soothing music
• Create a dark, quiet and comfortable sleep environment for your child
• Lower the temperature in your child’s room (to less than 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Limit fluids before bedtime and ensure your child emptys their bladder before going to bed
• Avoid caffeine and sugar before bed

Talk to your doctor if you have other concerns. Let them know if your child’s Pediatric Sleepwalking continues for an extended period of time.

• Going to bed at the same time every night
• Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine , such as taking a hot shower or listening to soothing music
• Creating a dark, quiet and comfortable sleep environment for your child
• Lowering the temperature in your child’s room (below 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Limiting fluids before bedtime and ensuring your child emptys their bladder before going to bed
• Avoiding caffeine and sugar before bed
• Talk to your doctor if you have other concerns. Let them know if your child’s sleepwalking continues over a long period of time.