UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Night Terrors

Category: Pediatrics

Posted: 9/15/2012 by Rose Chasm, MD (Updated: 11/22/2024)
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sleep disruption silimar to a nightmare, but much more dramatic most often between 4-12 years
sudden fear reaction which occurs during the transition to and from deep non-REM sleep while nightmares occur during REM sleep
occurs 2-3 hours after falling asleep when the child suddenly awakens in distress and may thrash about, scream, cry
child returns to sleep with no memory of the event the following morning
often occurs when a child is stressed, overtired, on new medication, or sleeping in a new environment
do not awaken the child during the event but rather allow them to calm on their own