NIGHT TERRORS IN CHILDREN

Course overview

Night terrors (NTs; also called pavor nocturnus), classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, as a sleep terror disorder, are a type of parasomnia (i.e., a behavioral disturbance that occurs during sleep) characterized by recurrent episodes of sudden awakening followed by thrashing, kicking, screaming or shouting, and feelings of intense fear or terror. Prominent autonomic arousal (e.g., tachycardia, tachypnea, sweating) is common during episodes of NTs, and affected individuals appear conscious but are disoriented, confused, unresponsive to stimuli, and difficult to awaken. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of night terrors in children, including its clinical presentation, symptoms, and treatment, and to aid in caring for the patient with this diagnosis. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.