Reasons why children sleepwalking

Undeveloped nervous system, breathing or movement disorders are common causes of sleepwalking in children.

Sleepwalking, which is common in children, is classified as a sleep disorder consisting of abnormal movements and behaviors that occur during sleep. According to research by the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children 4-12 years old can sleepwalk at least once. Sleepwalking becomes less common during adolescence and rarely persists into adulthood.

Sleepwalking in children may be due to the immature nervous system. If sleep becomes sporadic, the child may walk but not be aware of his actions. Sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea can also cause a child to sleepwalk. Movement disorders such as restless legs syndrome (limb movement disorder) can provoke a child to move unconsciously.

Sleepwalking may be accompanied by "confusional arousal disorder". These confusing stimuli make the child appear to be awake but still in a subconscious state. They occur outside of deep sleep , are often not remembered by the child, and may overlap with sleep terrors (nightmares). There are other conditions that can appear similar to sleepwalking such as epilepsy (causing convulsions), nightmares (acting, startling) during sleep, psychosis.

Sleepwalking is common in children and rarely persists into adulthood. Photo: Freepik.

Most sleepwalking episodes will end in a few minutes and do not require treatment. However, children can accidentally fall into dangerous situations when they are not aware of their behavior. Parents need to pay attention to keep children safe, avoid getting hurt while sleepwalking. Children often experience this condition at night. Parents should pay attention to this time to anticipate possible dangerous situations.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics, waking a sleepwalker is usually not dangerous. Research by the two institutions shows that there is no mental or physical harm to a sleepwalker, and parents need not worry if this happens. However, when a child sleepwalks, parents should redirect the child, return the child to bed without waking the child. Because babies awakened in this state may be startled, upset, cry, and have difficulty falling back to sleep.

If sleepwalking is frequent, prolonged, or dangerous, the condition may require interventions. In cases where children have poor sleep habits, lack of sleep , anxiety, and stress that lead to sleepwalking, parents need interventions that target these symptoms. For example, parents should avoid letting their children sleep during the day, watching violent and inciting programs; eat enough; do not allow children to use electronic devices at bedtime; keep your child entertained and mentally comfortable, no pressure...

If you suspect that your child has a breathing disorder or a sleep disorder, you need to take your child to the doctor and get appropriate treatment. If the frequency of sleepwalking is high and prolonged, parents can consult a doctor about taking a nervous system depressant to make sure it is safe. However, in most cases of sleepwalking, drug treatment is not necessary.