Terror at Northfield

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between a commonly misdiagnosed parasomnia and various precipitating factors. Expertise in differentiating a benign parasomnia from significant medical disorders in adults and children is important, as is the ability to correctly identify and modify predisposing and precipitating factors. The case presented in this chapter illustrates how making a premature decision based on a small piece of information delayed an important diagnosis and increased the risk of further morbidity. The peak prevalence of sleep terrors is 18 months of age, but they may be seen at any age during childhood. When recurrent sleep terrors recur or develop in adults, evaluation for other primary sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, restless legs, shift work, and sleep deprivation, is warranted, and polysomnography is usually indicated. Identifying and correcting precipitating factors may minimize the recurrence of sleep terrors. Treatment of sleep apnea may greatly reduce the frequency of night terrors and other parasomnias.