Study: Sleep terrors partly inherited

Night terrors, which send children into

sudden inconsolable screaming, are at least partially inherited, according

to media reports Wednesday. (File Photo)
Photo

Gallery

BEIJING, Dec.3 -- Night terrors, which send children

into sudden inconsolable screaming, are at least partially inherited, according

to media reports Wednesday.

"Our results show that there is a substantial effect

of genetics factors in sleep terrors," though no specific genes behind the

phenomenon have been identified, Bich Hong Nguyen of the Sleep Disorders Center

at Montreal's Sacre-Coeur Hospital and colleagues reported.

In the study of 390 sets of twins, which appeared in

the journal Pediatrics, the researchers found identical twins were much more

likely to both experience night terrors than fraternal twins.

Identical or monozygotic twins have nearly identical

genetic makeups, while fraternal or dizygotic twins do not. Twins are often

studied because their similar genetic makeup can provide information about

diseases and other issues.

The researchers said that environmental factors could

be part of the cause of night terrors since the twins were being raised together

in similar settings.

Overall, they found that 37 percent of the twin sets

had sleep terrors at 18 months, with the problem disappearing a year later for

about half of them.

Earlier studies cited in the report have shown

genetic factors likely are a factor in some cases of sleepwalking, sleep talking

and night terrors. Another study said 19 percent of 4- to 9-year olds

experienced night terrors.

In contrast to nightmares, "the onset of sleep

terrors is abrupt and frightening, usually sudden arousal with screaming," the

study said. "During these events children seem confused and disoriented. Any

attempt to awaken them may increase their agitation and prolong their episode."

However night terrors are brief, cease abruptly and

the child usually returns to a deep sleep remembering nothing about the episode,

the study said.

(Source:

chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)