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Sleepwalking and children

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking

Information    Return to top

Question:

Is sleepwalking normal for children?

Answer:

Sleepwalking is a disturbance where a person leaves their bed and walks without being aware of the event. It is usually triggers by poor sleep habits.

In children, sleepwalking starts between ages 6 and 12 and occurs more often in boys than girls. Children usually out grow sleepwalking.

Avoid awakening someone who is sleepwalking, as this may frighten them. Simply steer the person safely back to bed. Try to make the home safer, such as adding gates to stairways, to prevent injury.

Trying to maintain a bedtime routine may help reduce the problem.

Update Date: 2/14/2007

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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