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Published on: 11/19/2025

Can fever or illness trigger sleepwalking in children?

Fever or illness can sometimes trigger sleepwalking or sleep terrors in children, making it more likely for them to happen.

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Explanation

When children have a fever or are ill, it can sometimes lead to sleep problems like sleepwalking or sleep terrors. This happens because fever can disturb the normal sleep patterns.

Key Points:

  • Sleep Terrors and Fever: According to research, fever can lead to acute sleep terrors in children. This means that when a child is sick and has a fever, they might experience these scary episodes during sleep more often.
  • Sleep Patterns in Children: Other studies show that sleep problems are common in school-going children, and illnesses can make these problems worse.

If you notice that your child is experiencing frequent sleepwalking or sleep terrors, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider. For mental health concerns, you can visit 988lifeline.org.

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