Suggest Treatment For Sleeping Issues In A Child

Posted on Tue, 26 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 May 2015 Answered on

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What to do if my eight year old grand daughter is having sleeping problems? She has been having what I thought was night terrors. But lately I have become concerned that it maybe sleeping seizures. She makes noisies, runs in her sleep, frails her arms, and sets up. Can't be woke up and has no memory in the morning. I am worried that she could be hurt.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

There's a known condition called Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy in children of school-age that may mimic night terrors.

This condition may be familial ( inherited) or sporadic.

There's is need to clarify some aspects of the child symptoms such duration, how many times these symptoms occur during night, movements are stereotyped or chaotic, are there relatives that had this disorder confirmed?

When this disorder is suspected there's need for overnight videoEEG to confirm the diagnosis.

These issues should be discussed with a Pediatrician who deals with neurologic disorders.

If confirmed, treatment consists on antiseizure drugs.

Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E