5 % of the children older than 5 years presents nightmares. It
is more frequent in girls.
The experiences that more influence that the present child transtornos of the sleep are:
To sleep in bed of the parents.
Accidents or illness of the child.
Separation or absence of the mother (labor, trip, etc).
Maternal depression.
Ambivalent or contradictory maternal attitude in the upbringing of the child.
Generally, the nightmares and the episodes of night terror appear in the preschool age (before 5 years of age). This situation happens during the phase 4 of the sleep (phase notREM, without ocular movements or of deep sleep).
The child is confused and disorientated, presents rough and noisy respiration, extensive pupils, sudoración, tachycardia (intensive cardiac rhythm), taquipnea (intensive respiratory rhythm). It seems terrified.
During this stage the child can present SOMNAMBULISM (asleep gait) and be in risk of physical damage or blows.
The child can be late in waking up and speaking coherentemente. In general the child cannot remember the nightmare motive of his fear.
The night terrors disappear with the time in almost all the cases, generally before 7 years of age. A hereditary factor exists. Sometimes, the illnesses accompanied by fever can be desencadenantes of this situation.
Handling of the situations of night terror
The essential thing there is the support of the parents, the affective stimulus and the motivation to be able to overcome this situation.
To support, at all costs, a schedule of beginning of the sleep that must be fulfilled irreversibly allowing him few modifications.
There must be avoided at all costs the television programs that present some violence grade.
It is possible to offer a night bath, a weak light or a moment previous to conversation before initiating the sleep. In some children it works initiating the reading of a story. It is possible to be accepted, momentarily, that he sleeps with a burning light or with the open door.
Only the pediatrician can authorize the use of calming medicines (benzodiacepinas, antihistamines, etc) in some few cases.
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