NREM Parasomnias: Disorders of Arousal

Abstract

An 8-year-old boy was brought in by his parents for consultation of his nocturnal behaviours. The parents reported that he had repeated episodes of nocturnal screaming since the age of 3. Initially, he presented with loud screaming that happened after an hour of sleep. He looked confused, frightened and sweated profoundly during the screaming. The episode mostly lasted for a few minutes or less, then he would fall back to sleep. Since the age of 6, parents reported instead of screaming, sometimes he would leave his bed and walk around at home. He might mumble and mostly looked dazed. At most times, he went back to bed and fell asleep. He had no memory recollection about the screaming or walking upon waking up. As the condition happened rarely, a few times per year, they did not seek medical advice till now when these episodes occurred more frequently. Two weeks ago, he attempted to open the window during the nocturnal wandering and was stopped by his parents. They attempted to wake him but ended up with him fiercely screaming and crying. It took an hour to wake him up fully. Parents reported that he may have such episode if he has febrile illness. The boy had no other medical problems, apart from being overweight. He gained a significant amount of weight in past 1–2 years. Father reported he had similar events in his childhood, but just a few occasions and he no longer had such condition since he grew up.