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What Causes Night Terrors In A Child?

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Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Question: My son is 3 years and 8 months old. From last 1 month, he has been having night terrors (not nightmares), After sleeping for 1-2 hours, he abruptly gets up and doesnt recognize us. Runs around the room. Feels like he is scared of something. And after 5 minutes, he goes back to sleep. He has also been experiencing high fever for last week. We have been giving medication for fever and now the fever is gone. Is there anything we can do for these night terrors? What is the actual reason of these night terrors?
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Answered by Dr. Omprakash Ashokrao Deshmukh (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.

Night terrors occur usually after 90 mins to 120 mins after sleep.
When there is transition from deep non REM sleep to lighter REM sleep , dream occurs.
Usually this transition is smooth but when the child is agitated or frightened the reaction occurs called night terrors.

Night terrors are caused by over-arousal of the central nervous system (CNS) during sleep. As the central nervous system is still maturating.

It's best not to try to wake kids during a night terror.
Just wait for the episode to go out on its own.
Take care that the child not get hurt.

Good sleeping habits, bedtime routine, stress reduction will help.

Hope i help you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
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Dr. Omprakash Ashokrao Deshmukh

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 633 Questions

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What Causes Night Terrors In A Child?

Brief Answer: nothing to worry. Detailed Answer: Thanks for the query. Night terrors occur usually after 90 mins to 120 mins after sleep. When there is transition from deep non REM sleep to lighter REM sleep , dream occurs. Usually this transition is smooth but when the child is agitated or frightened the reaction occurs called night terrors. Night terrors are caused by over-arousal of the central nervous system (CNS) during sleep. As the central nervous system is still maturating. It's best not to try to wake kids during a night terror. Just wait for the episode to go out on its own. Take care that the child not get hurt. Good sleeping habits, bedtime routine, stress reduction will help. Hope i help you.