Article Review Day 8: Confusional Arousals

Confusional Arousals is a parasomnia.

Have you ever heard your child have minor episodes of mumbling or grimacing, disorientation, or inappropriate behaviors during sleep? I have not experienced these with my children, but some parents have. "Confusional arousal occurs in the first 3 hours after sleep onset when the child experiences an abrupt transition from the deepest phases of NREM sleep" to lighter sleep stages. Sometimes parents don't even know this occurs because the child stays asleep during the episode and doesn't remember the next day.

If you do notice such an episode with your child, it is good to know:

• "Most episodes are brief, averaging 2 to 10 minutes in duration, and end when the child re-enters deep sleep."
• "Predisposing factors include obstructive sleep apnea, overtiredness, sleep deprivation, and irregular wake/sleep schedules..."
• "These episodes are harmless and you should not awaken the child."
• "Confusional arousals diminish as the child matures."
• If your child also has one of the predisposing factors you need to look into altering their sleep schedule so they can get the appropriate amount of sleep.

Article Review Day 7: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a dyssomnia.

Who: 2-3%, the highest prevalence is in preschool-aged children

What: It is "a disorder of breathing characterized by partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep. The obstruction can be intermittent or protracted and interferes with normal ventilation and normal sleep patterns."

When: During sleep.

Where: In bed.

What: "Symptoms include nightly snoring frequently accompanied by sporadic pauses, gasping, choking, disrupted sleep, and daytime attentional and/or behavioral problems. Associated problems include chronic rhinitis, nasal congestion, mouth breathing, otitis media, sore throats, halitosis, and frequent upper respiratory infections. Frequent complications include attention and behavioral difficulties, restless sleep, and growth impairment."

Why: The abnormal body functions that accompany this particular syndrome are an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues resulting from apneas (suspension of external breathing) and leads to numerous arousals from sleep.

How: How does a parent deal with this? First, if any of these symptoms seem familiar, you need to pay careful attention to your child's sleep. "Children with suspected OSAS symptoms should be referred to a pediatric otolaryngologist for evaluation, and a sleep study should be considered."