Investigation of Clinical Features and Comorbid Psychopathologies of Children with Sleep Terrors

Authors : Özlem Şireli, Ayla Uzun Çiçek, Elif Abanoz, İlknur Ucuz, Yüksel Sümeyra Naralan

Pages : 421-433

Doi:10.34087/cbusbed.1479121

View : 65 | Download : 112

Publication Date : 2024-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with sleep terrors, including sleep environment and sleep habits, clinical features and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Method: Between 2020 and 2024, 51 children who were diagnosed with sleep terror according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in 3 different Child and Adolescent Psychiatry clinics were included in the study. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the cases were examined retrospectively through the files. Results: Of the 51 participants, 30 (58.8%) were male, 21 (41.2%) were female and the mean age at the time of admission was 6.76±1.45 years. It was determined that 15 (29.4%) of the cases slept in a noisy environment and 41 (80.4%) of the cases had their sleep interrupted except for sleep terror attacks. At least one psychiatric disorder was detected in 17 (33.3%) patients, and the most common (9.8%) comorbid psychiatric disorder was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It was found that complete retrograde amnesia was significantly higher in preschoolers, and motor activity during the attack, physical injury and/or material damage, and full awakening during the attack were significantly higher in school-age children. It was determined that 64.7% of the parents intervened incorrectly during the episode, and in 29.4% of the cases, the wrong medication was applied in the treatment history. Conclusion: In sleep terrors, identification of triggering factors and comorbid psychiatric disorders during the diagnostic evaluation process, psychoeducation of parents in treatment, and selection of appropriate medication for medication are very important.
Keywords : Uyku terörü, parasomnia, psikiyatrik komorbidite