What is Sleep Walking or Somnambulism?
• Sleep walking or somnambulism is commonly seen in childhood and adolescence. • The episode emerges during delta sleep, hence is common in the 1st couple of hours of nocturnal sleep. • The child gets out of bed, is somnolent and confused. • He is able to walk around but is clumsy and has unintelligible speech. • He may avoid objects but could fall out of a window or off a roof top and sustain severe body trauma. • During the episode the child may carry out other autonomic activities e.g. dressing him self, eating or bathroom functions.
