sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Sleepwalking and children: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if there is serious bleeding, a possible major head or neck injury, severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, or failure to return to normal responsiveness after the event.

    Get immediate help if the child has left the home and cannot be found or is in immediate danger.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if the child:

    • Is injured during an episode
    • Regularly leaves the house or reaches dangerous areas
    • Has loud snoring, gasping, or pauses in breathing
    • Has marked daytime sleepiness or a decline in daily functioning
    • Develops stiffening, jerking, drooling, or highly repetitive events
    • Has episodes that suddenly become much more frequent or unusual
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if sleepwalking is frequent, disrupts family life, continues despite adequate sleep, or creates safety concerns.

    An appointment is also appropriate if it begins for the first time in an older child or continues regularly through adolescence.

The article also says

Ordinary sleepwalking without injury, breathing trouble, or ongoing abnormal responsiveness is not usually an emergency.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Sleepwalking and children. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.