Night terrors in children
Definition
Night terrors (sleep terrors) are a sleep disorder in which a person quickly wakes from sleep in a terrified state.
Alternative Names
Pavor nocturnus; Sleep terror disorder
Causes
The cause is unknown, but night terrors may be triggered by:
- Fever
- Lack of sleep
- Periods of emotional tension, stress, or conflict
Night terrors are most common in children ages 3 through 7, and much less common after that. Night terrors may run in families. They can occur in adults, especially when there is emotional tension or alcohol use.
Patient Education Video: What are night terrors?
Symptoms
Night terrors are most common during the first third of the night, often between midnight and 2 a.m.
- Children often scream and are very frightened and confused. They thrash around violently and are often not aware of their surroundings.
- The child may not be able to respond to being talked to, comforted, or awakened.
- The child may be sweating, breathing very fast (hyperventilating), have a fast heart rate, and widened (dilated) pupils.
- The spell may last 10 to 20 minutes, then the child goes back to sleep.
Most children are unable to explain what happened the next morning. They often have no memory of the event when they wake up the next day.
Children with night terrors may also sleep walk.
In contrast, nightmares are more common in the early morning. They may occur after someone watches frightening movies or TV shows, or has an emotional experience. A person may remember the details of a dream after waking up and will not be disoriented after the episode.
Exams and Tests
In many cases, no further examination or testing is needed. If night terror episodes occur often, the child should be evaluated by a health care provider. If needed, tests such as a sleep study can be done to rule out a sleep disorder.
Treatment
In many cases, a child who has a night terror only needs to be comforted.
Reducing stress or using coping mechanisms may reduce night terrors. Talk therapy or counseling may be needed in some cases.
Medicines prescribed for use at bedtime will often reduce night terrors but are rarely used to treat this disorder.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most children outgrow night terrors. Episodes usually decrease after age 10.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your provider if:
- Night terrors occur often
- They disrupt sleep on a regular basis
- Other symptoms occur with the night terror
- The night terror causes or almost causes injuries
Prevention
Minimizing stress or using coping mechanisms may reduce night terrors.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics website. Nightmares and night terrors in preschoolers. www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Nightmares-and-Night-Terrors.aspx. Updated October 18, 2018. Accessed June 11, 2021.
Avidan AY. Non-rapid eye movement parasomnias: clinical spectrum, diagnostic features, and management. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 102.
Owens JA. Sleep medicine. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.
Vaughn BV, Basner RC. Sleep disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 377.
