Causes of sleep walking in children

Sleepwalking (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

What Is Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is very common in kids. Most kids who walk in their sleep only do so occasionally and outgrow it by the teen years.

Kids tend to sleepwalk within an hour or two of falling asleep and may walk around for anywhere from a few seconds to 30 minutes. It's difficult to wake someone up while they're sleepwalking. When awakened, a person may feel groggy and disoriented for a few minutes.

Despite its name, sleepwalking (also called somnambulism) involves more than just walking. Sleepwalking behaviors can be:

harmless — like sitting up
potentially dangerous — such as wandering outside
inappropriate — like opening a closet door and peeing inside

No matter what kids do during sleepwalking episodes, though, it's unlikely that they'll remember ever having done it!

Still, some simple steps can keep your young sleepwalker safe while traipsing about.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking is far more common in kids than in adults. It may run in families, so if you or your partner are or were sleepwalkers, your child may be too.

Things that may bring on a sleepwalking episode include:

lack of sleep or fatigue
irregular sleep schedules
illness or fever
some medicines
stress

What Happens During Sleepwalking?

Getting out of bed and walking around while still sleeping is the most obvious sleepwalking symptom. But young sleepwalkers may also:

sleeptalk
be hard to wake up
seem dazed
be clumsy
not respond when spoken to
sit up in bed and go through repeated motions, such as rubbing their eyes or fussing with their pajamas

Also, sleepwalkers' eyes are open, but they don't see the same way they do when they're awake. Often, they think they're in different rooms of the house or different places altogether.

Sometimes, these other conditions may happen with sleepwalking:

sleep apnea (brief pauses in breathing while sleeping)
bedwetting (enuresis)
night terrors

Page 2

Is Sleepwalking Harmful?

Sleepwalking itself is not harmful. But sleepwalking can be hazardous because sleepwalking kids aren't awake and may not realize what they're doing, such as walking down stairs or opening windows.

Sleepwalking is not usually a sign that something is emotionally or psychologically wrong with a child. And it doesn't cause any emotional harm. Sleepwalkers probably won't even remember the nighttime stroll.

How to Keep a Sleepwalker Safe

Sleepwalking isn't dangerous by itself. But it's important to take precautions so that your sleepwalking child is less likely to fall down, run into something, walk out the front door, or drive (if your teen is a sleepwalker).

To help keep your sleepwalker out of harm's way:

Try not to wake a sleepwalker because this might scare your child. Instead, gently guide him or her back to bed.
Lock the windows and doors, in your child's bedroom and throughout your home, in case your young sleepwalker decides to wander. You may consider extra locks or child safety locks on doors. Keep keys out of reach for kids who are old enough to drive.
To prevent falls, don't let your sleepwalker sleep in a bunk bed.
Remove sharp or breakable things from around your child's bed.
Keep dangerous objects out of reach.
Remove obstacles from your child's room and throughout your home to prevent a stumble. Get rid of clutter on the floor (in your child's bedroom or playroom).
Install safety gates outside your child's room and/or at the top of any stairs.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

There's usually no need to treat sleepwalking unless the episodes are:

very regular
cause your child to be sleepy during the day
involve dangerous behaviors

If the sleepwalking happens often, causes problems, or your child hasn't outgrown it by the early teen years, talk to your doctor.

For kids who sleepwalk often, doctors may recommend a treatment called scheduled awakening. This means you will gently wake your child up a little before the usual sleepwalking time, which can help stop sleepwalking. In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe medicine to aid sleep.

What Else Should I Know?

To help prevent sleepwalking episodes:

Have your child relax at bedtime by listening to soft music or relaxation tapes.
Establish a regular sleep and nap schedule and stick to it — both nighttime and wake-up time.
Make your child's bedtime earlier. This can improve excessive sleepiness.
Don't let kids drink a lot in the evening and be sure they go to the bathroom before going to bed. (A full bladder can contribute to sleepwalking.)
Avoid caffeine near bedtime.
Make sure your child's bedroom is quiet, cozy, and comfortable for sleeping. Keep the noise down while kids are trying to sleep (at bedtime and naptime).

The next time you see your nighttime wanderer, don't panic. Just steer your child back to the safety and comfort of his or her bed.

Pediatric Sleepwalking: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

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Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. D. — By Janelle Martel on May 21, 2018

What is pediatric sleepwalking?

Pediatric sleepwalking is when a child gets up during sleep but is unaware of their actions. It’s also known as somnambulism. Sleepwalking is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 4 and 8.

Most children who sleepwalk begin to do so an hour or two after falling asleep. Sleepwalking episodes usually last from five to 15 minutes. This behavior is typically harmless and most children grow out of it. But, it can be dangerous if left unaddressed. It’s important to protect your child from possible injury from sleepwalking.

What causes sleepwalking?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to sleepwalking. These include:

fatigue or lack of sleep
irregular sleeping habits
stress or anxiety
being in a different sleep environment
illness or fever
certain medications, including sedatives, stimulants, and antihistamines
family history of sleepwalking

Though uncommon, 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 leg syndrome (RLS)
head injuries

What are the symptoms of sleepwalking?

Walking during sleep may be the most common symptom of sleepwalking, but there are other actions associated with this condition.

Sleepwalking symptoms may include:

sitting up in bed and repeating motions
getting up and walking around the house
talking or mumbling during sleep
not responding when spoken to
making clumsy movements
urinating in inappropriate places
performing routine or repetitive behaviors, such as opening and closing doors

Diagnosis

Usually, a doctor can diagnose sleepwalking based on other family member’s accounts of the child’s behavior. Generally, no treatment is needed. Your doctor may wish to conduct a physical and psychological exam to rule out other conditions that can cause sleepwalking. If another medical issue is causing your child’s sleepwalking, treatment is needed for the underlying issue.

If the doctor suspects another sleep problem, such as sleep apnea, they may order a sleep study. 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 oxygen level in the blood. A camera may also record the child as they sleep.

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

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

Sleepwalking treatments

If you notice your child sleepwalking, try to gently guide them back to bed. Do not try to wake the sleepwalker, as this could aggravate them. Instead, simply reassure your child with words and help steer them back to bed.

There are also safety measures that can be taken around the house to help keep your child safe. These include:

closing and locking all doors and windows at night
installing alarms on doors and windows, or installing locks out of your child’s reach
removing items that could be a tripping hazard
removing sharp and breakable objects from around your child’s bed
not letting your child sleep in a bunk bed
installing safety gates in front of stairs or doorways
turning down the temperature on the hot water heater to prevent burns
keeping keys out of reach

Sleepwalking prevention

Helping your child develop good sleep habits and relaxation techniques can help prevent sleepwalking.

Try the following to help prevent sleepwalking:

Go to bed at the same time every night.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music.
Create a dark, quiet, and comfortable sleep environment for your child.
Lower the temperature in your child’s bedroom to less than 75°F (24°C).
Limit liquids before bedtime and ensure your child empties their bladder before going to bed.
Avoid caffeine and sugar before bedtime.

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

Last medically reviewed on May 21, 2018

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Hirsch L. (April). Sleepwalking.
kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepwalking.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Sleepwalking.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking/symptoms-causes/syc-20353506
Sleepwalking. (2014).
my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/sleep_disorders/hic_sleepwalking.aspx

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

May 21, 2018

Written By

Janelle Martel

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Medically Reviewed By

Karen Richardson Gill, MD

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Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — By Janelle Martel on May 21, 2018

Children's sleepwalking - Children's Medical Center of Neurology and Pediatrics on Andropova 13/32 (m.

Kolomenskaya)

Sleepwalking (somnambulism) is a condition in which a child begins to move and perform certain actions during sleep. It is due to a change in the work of the nervous system and the activation of its motor centers in an unconscious position. The patient can get out of bed, move around the apartment and perform other activities. Baby sleepwalking is not considered a pathology, but its manifestations can sometimes threaten the health of the child. If characteristic symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a neurologist for instrumental diagnostics and exclusion of diseases of the central nervous system. In rare cases, drug therapy is required. nine0003

Causes of baby sleepwalking

Somnambulism usually occurs in the phase of slow sleep in the first hours after falling asleep, and is caused by the formation of electrical impulses in the cerebral structures of the patient. The exact mechanism for the formation of spontaneous motor activity has not been investigated, but scientists believe that this is due to dysregulation of sleep. When a child falls asleep, the state of inhibition predominates in the central nervous system, preventing motor functions. In the case of sleepwalking, premature disinhibition is observed with the preservation of an unconscious state. The patient is still sleeping and even dreaming, but his body is able to perform coordinated actions. nine0003

Additional risk factors:

psycho-emotional disorders with agitation;
neurological diseases;
exposure to traumatic factors;
chronic stress;
insufficient darkening of the sleeper's room;
exposure to noise and other external stimuli.

A clear example of incomplete sleep is sleeping in a standing position when the skeletal muscles are still tense. In this case, the processes of inhibition do not appear in the entire brain, since the activity of neurons is required to maintain balance. In infants, half-sleep often occurs due to anxiety, which provokes stimulation of the cortical regions. This is a common anomaly that usually does not lead to any complications and resolves on its own. Spontaneous movements of a sleeping baby in bed do not necessarily indicate sleepwalking. nine0003

Signs of somnambulism (sleepwalking)

Symptoms of sleepwalking in children can be varied. The most typical manifestation in moderate cases is spontaneous uncoordinated movements during sleep, in which the child remains in bed. With severe sleepwalking, the patient first of all opens his eyes and assumes a sitting position. At the same time, he does not wake up and does not even move his eyeballs. After about 5-10 minutes, the child again lies down on the bed. Moving around the apartment with the appearance of complex activity is considered a rare occurrence. At the same time, the somnambulist only remotely resembles a waking person, but he himself reacts poorly to external stimuli. nine0003

Other possible symptoms:

A detached reaction to the environment. A child in this state cannot talk to his parents or pet a dog, since all his activity is due to the automatisms of the central nervous system.
Amnesia. Sleepwalkers usually do not remember nighttime events and are not even aware of the presence of such a violation. They learn about it from the words of loved ones.
Open eyes. This is a specific sign of sleepwalking, according to which differential diagnosis can be made. The gaze is usually blank and unfocused. nine0014
Typical ending. The child after the performed actions returns to bed or finds another place to sleep. Waking up the patient in a different position is very difficult.

Somnologists do not recommend trying to wake up a somnambulist, because awakening in this case often leads to severe anxiety or even a panic attack. It is better to let the child go back to sleep.

Diagnosis and treatment of baby sleepwalking

Sleepwalking in children can be diagnosed by a neurologist or sleepologist. The doctor will first ask the parents to identify characteristic symptoms. If the patient has complaints, they should also be addressed. As a result of taking an anamnesis, the doctor pays attention to signs of chronic stress, nervous shock, or another risk factor. Diagnosis may include magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and computed tomography. Often EEG is recommended to be recorded during sleep. It is necessary to exclude various forms of epilepsy and other neurological disorders. It is desirable to consult a psychotherapist, psychosomatologist. nine0003

Sleepwalking in children, the causes of which are associated with pathological conditions, requires treatment. The child is prescribed medications to relieve disorders of the central nervous system, anxiolytics or sleeping pills according to indications. In most cases, prevention of sleepwalking is sufficient. Your doctor may suggest placing a wet towel next to your bed.

If there is any suspicion of sleepwalking in a child, it is recommended to visit a doctor, it is highly undesirable to self-medicate. nine0003

To sign up for a consultation at our center, call the numbers listed on the site, or leave a request using the feedback form.

flying in a dream or in reality? / Blog / Clinic "EXPERT"

People who walk or talk in their sleep are colloquially known as the jolly word "sleepwalkers". However, this phenomenon is not at all harmless. A symptom of what diseases can be baby sleepwalking, said neurologist at the EXPERT clinic Svetlana Bezukh. nine0003

Svetlana Bezukh — doctor of the highest category, neurologist, MD, professor. Author of 150 scientific papers. Member of the International Association of Neurologists. Work experience - more than 40 years. Accepts patients in the clinic "Expert".

- What is sleepwalking? What are his main symptoms?

— Somnambulism itself, or sleepwalking, as it is called at the everyday level, is a type of sleep disorder, that is, parasomnia. And there is not only sleepwalking, but also sleepwalking. Often the child wakes up suddenly, sits up in bed with his eyes closed, seeing some of his dreams, lies down a few minutes later and continues to sleep. He can talk in his sleep or mumble something without waking up, he can also get out of bed, take a few steps with his eyes closed. nine0003

- How to behave with a sleepwalker?

— Parents often ask whether it is worth waking up the child in this situation? No. This will only exacerbate the situation. If he is in a state of sleepwalking, then he must be carefully taken by the hand and laid down. No need to talk to him, bother him, ask him something.

— What does the child feel during such states?

- During parasomnia, the child does not feel anything, he sleeps. In the morning, he usually does not remember anything. nine0003

— Is sleepwalking possible during daytime sleep?

- There may be episodes of sleepwalking during any sleep.

Sleepwalking can be one of the types of epilepsy

— Why is sleepwalking dangerous?

— If you know that a child is falling into such a state, it is necessary to protect him from unpleasant situations. In the child's bedroom there should not be furniture with sharp corners, choose a low bed for him. When he sleeps, the windows must be closed so that they cannot be opened. If states of disturbed sleep occur frequently, it is necessary to periodically monitor the child at this time, keeping the door to his room ajar, and so on. nine0003

— At what age does sleepwalking and sleep-talking most often occur?

— In my clinical experience, most often these were children of 6, 10, 11 years old, and also during puberty, when the hormonal background changes, the process of puberty begins, and, naturally, the body experiences stress.

- What provokes sleepwalking?

- The answer to this question may be related to the perinatal period, that is, with the time of intrauterine development and childbirth. If it turns out that a child suffering from sleepwalking has the prerequisites for the formation of an organic lesion of the central nervous system (CNS), since his mother had a complicated pregnancy and / or childbirth, and also if he suffered a traumatic brain injury, meningitis, then you need to conduct an examination to rule out epilepsy. nine0003

— Which doctor should I contact in this case? What studies are usually prescribed?

— Such a child should be shown to an epileptologist or a neurologist, a somnologist, a neuropsychologist. The instrumental examination plan includes electroencephalography, according to indications, it is possible to perform an MRI or CT scan of the brain, especially if sleepwalking has developed after a traumatic brain injury or a neuroinfectious disease.

— How is the treatment of a child who is suspected of epilepsy due to sleepwalking? nine0060

— If epilepsy is diagnosed, then specific medication and observation by an epileptologist are prescribed.

Proper regimen is the key to health

— What else can sleepwalking hide underneath?

- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We encounter it quite often. Such children are extremely hyperactive, they have a lot of uncontrolled movements: they can twitch their shoulders, blink, make different sounds against the background of hyperactive behavior, impulsivity. nine0003
— And what treatment is used in this case?

— Mainly non-drug methods: psychological and pedagogical correction, family therapy, behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, elimination of concomitant pathology. The use of medications is indicated if the above methods are ineffective.

— What if the child does not have problems with the central nervous system, there is no hyperactivity, and sleepwalking occurs from time to time?

— If the child does not have these diseases, then the correct regimen is necessary. A few hours before bedtime, outdoor activities and quiet games are recommended. The child's room should be well ventilated, and the apartment should be quiet until he falls asleep. Before going to bed, you can read a fairy tale for 10-15 minutes. It is necessary to monitor the emotional state of the child, especially in the afternoon and before bedtime: exclude computer games, TV. nine0003
— Somnambulism used to be thought to be related to the phases of the moon. Is there such a relationship?

- These are superstitions, sleepwalking has nothing to do with the phases of the moon. Sleepwalking during certain phases of the moon is just a coincidence.

- Is somnambulism inherited?

— If a child suffering from sleepwalking is diagnosed with epilepsy, it is difficult to assume in advance that in the future he will pass this disease on to his children. The hereditary cause of epilepsy is detected in 5–8% of cases. nine0003
If a child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it is recommended to ask parents if they had any manifestations of this disease in childhood. This syndrome in 10-15% of cases has a hereditary predisposition. Especially in boys.

- Can somnambulism go away on its own with time?

- If it's a symptom of epilepsy, it won't go away on its own. If it is included in the structure of hyperactivity and attention deficit, then it can also go away only after treatment.
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