Parasomnia

Sleep disorders among children are common. Some include difficulties in falling asleep (technically called “dyssomnias”). Others are issues that disrupt sleep once it has started, otherwise known as “parasomnias.”

Most parasomnias occur in periods between sleeping and waking, during what is known as non-rapid eye movement sleep.

One of the most common parasomnias is sleepwalking (somnambulism) and it occurs in about 15 percent of children. Other types of parasomnia include sleeptalking, night terrors, and confusional arousals.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) and restless leg syndrome are also defined as parasomnias but usually occur at older children and adults.