HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Parasomnias of childhood.

AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW:
To enhance the ability of the practitioner to diagnose and manage children with parasomnias in the office setting.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Over 80% of preschool-age children experience parasomnia events. Instability in the regulation of sleep continuity might underlie sleep walking, sleep terrors, and confusional arousals. Catathernia or nocturnal groaning is a parasomnia that is recognized in adults but frequently has onset during childhood.
SUMMARY:
Common childhood parasomnias such as hypnic starts, rhythmic movement disorder, sleep paralysis, confusional arousals, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, enuresis, and nightmares are discussed. These events may lead to significant concern and worry for the parents. Most parasomnias are recognizable by history alone, but some may require nocturnal polysomnography for accurate diagnosis and determining an underlying trigger factor. Findings on nocturnal polysomnography are described. Sleep terrors, confusional arousals and sleepwalking may mimic seizures; distinguishing seizures from parasomnias is discussed. There is a genetic predisposition to many childhood parasomnias. Management techniques, including behavioral therapy, are reviewed. Unfortunately, evidence-based recommendations are as yet unavailable. The management of sleep enuresis continues to remain a significant challenge.
AuthorsSuresh Kotagal
JournalCurrent opinion in pediatrics (Curr Opin Pediatr) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 659-65 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1531-698X [Electronic] United States
PMID19005335 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Topics
  • Behavior Therapy (methods)
  • Child, Preschool
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Parasomnias (diagnosis, genetics, therapy)
  • Polysomnography (methods)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: