Patient's question:
The child frequently experiences sudden awakenings from sleep accompanied by crying. These episodes usually occur between 11 PM and 12 AM. Initially, the crying occurred every two days, but after a week, it has developed into daily occurrences. Symptoms include: sudden awakenings followed by inexplicable crying, accompanied by talking in one's sleep.Doctor's answer:
Children who are startled can easily wake up from their sleep. This is because their nervous systems have not yet fully developed. As a result, their excitability is relatively high. Once startled, their excitability may increase, leading to unstable sleep patterns. If the child has experienced something particularly severe or has been frightened by something before, it is advisable to consider the aspect of being frightened. However, if the child only exhibits "nighttime sleep instability, frequently tossing and turning" without any other symptoms, it may not necessarily be due to being startled. It could also be caused by calcium deficiency. In such cases, it is necessary to supplement with calcium and cod liver oil.