Sleep walking, also called somnambulism, is most common between the ages of 4 and 12 and affects boys more than girls. The cause of sleepwalking is unknown. Children are more likely to sleep walk if they are over-tired or anxious, and medical or emotional problems may trigger this activity. Episodes of sleepwalking are usually mild and infrequent. However, a small proportion of children sleepwalk a few times a week.
Most sleepwalkers have no memory of the event after it is over.
Most children outgrow sleepwalking by the time they are teens. Medical opinions are not unified on how to handle sleepwalking. However, many experts agree that you should not awake a sleepwalking child. Instead, guide the sleepwalker cautiously back to his or her bed. Improving the sleepwalker's sleep habits may have beneficial effect.