Can REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) occur in younger adults or children?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) can occur in children, though it is much less common than in older adults. In pediatric cases, RBD is often linked to underlying conditions such as narcolepsy, brainstem tumors, neurodevelopmental disorders (like autism), or the use of certain medications, including antidepressants. Children with RBD may act out vivid dreams by talking, shouting, kicking, or thrashing during sleep, which can lead to injury.

Because RBD in children can signal an underlying neurological or sleep-related condition, early evaluation is important. If your child is showing signs of unusual nighttime movements or disrupted sleep, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be going on and get clear guidance on the next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if symptoms suggest REM sleep behavior disorder Discover causes of dream-enactment during sleep See if nighttime movements need evaluation Find OTC options for sleep disturbance Find a sleep specialist for evaluation Discover home remedies for safer sleep Understand if it could be REM sleep disorder

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Explanation

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a condition where people act out their dreams during the REM stage of sleep. While it is more commonly seen in older adults, it can also occur in children. According to the research by Stores, children can experience this disorder, although it is not as frequent as in older populations.

Key Points:

What is RBD?
- During REM sleep, most people experience atonia, which means their muscles are temporarily paralyzed. This prevents them from acting out their dreams. In RBD, this paralysis doesn't happen, so people might move or talk in their sleep.
Occurrence in Children:
- Though less common, children can have RBD. It is important for parents to observe any unusual sleep behaviors in their kids, such as talking, yelling, or moving during sleep.

If you are concerned about sleep behaviors or notice unusual symptoms in yourself or your child, you can use this free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine if you should consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.

(References)

Stores G. (2008). Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder in children .... Developmental medicine and child neurology, 18834385.
Bellusci L, Grubbs G, Sait S, Herbst KW, Salazar JC, Khurana S, & The Connecticut Children's Covid Collaborative. (2024). Evolution of the Antigenic Landscape in Children and Young .... Vaccines, 38932367.
Acharya SS. (2013). Rare bleeding disorders in children: identification and .... Pediatrics, 24127475.

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