Sleepwalking

About 15 percent of children between ages 5 and 12 experience one or more episodes of sleepwalking. This sleep disorder is a disruption of the normal sleep cycle, which consists of periods of deep, quiet sleep alternating with periods of more active sleep during which dreams occur. Sleepwalking episodes take place during the first sleep-stage transition of the night, which usually occurs between 90 minutes and two hours after sleep begins. Children generally wake partially and roll over, mumble or smack their lips during this transition.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SLEEPWALKING?
A sleepwalking episode typically begins when a sleeping child suddenly sits upright in bed, stands and begins to walk aimlessly around the bedroom or house. A sleepwalking child's eyes are open but glassy and unfocused, and his movements are entirely without purpose. (Thus, a child who gets himself a snack in the middle of the night is definitely not sleepwalking.) After 5 to 30 minutes of wandering, the child generally returns to bed. He has no memory of the incident the next morning.

WHAT CAUSES SLEEPWALKING?
A tendency to sleepwalk seems to run in some families, and boys, for unknown reasons, are more likely to walk in their sleep than girls. Many sleep experts believe sleepwalking and sleeptalking are related to night terrors and bedwetting since they all occur during the same sleep transition.

Contrary to popular belief, dreams do not trigger sleepwalking episodes. During the dream stage of sleep, the muscles are almost completely paralyzed.

IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?
Not usually. Only if sleepwalking occurs several times a week or the child become quite agitated during sleepwalking episodes. Such agitation may indicate a psychological problem rather than true sleepwalking.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Most children do not need treatment. Episodes of sleepwalking usually become less frequent as children get older. Occasionally, a child who sleepwalks may benefit from a mild tranquilizer. This treatment, however, is reserved for only the most disruptive cases.

COPING WITH SLEEPWALKING

• The only danger of sleepwalking is that the child will fall or bang into something and get hurt. If your child walks in his sleep, arrange the environment in a way that minimizes that risk. Pick up stray books and toys before going to bed. If necessary, place gates at the top and bottom of stairs and use chain locks on outside doors.

• Try to make sure the child gets plenty of sleep and is not overtired at bedtime. Excessive fatigue may contribute to sleepwalking.

• If you must wake a sleepwalking child, expect him to be disoriented. The best method is to repeat the child's name softly several times and, when he is conscious, explain what has happened. The child should go back to bed as soon as possible.

Excerpt from THE DISNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BABY & CHILD CARE, © 1995 DSH Communications, Inc. This material is based on current medical research and, to the best of the editors' knowledge and understanding, is accurate and valid. However the reader should not use information contained in this material to alter a medically prescribed regimen or as a form of self-treatment, without seeking the advice of a licensed physician.