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Causes of Night Sweats in Children

Sweating during the night is a common experience. Children waking up in the middle of the night soaked with perspiration can be a cause for concern. Understanding the characteristics of night sweating as compared to normal overheating is important when evaluating a child.

  1. About

    • Night sweats in children are characterized as the child sweating so much that pajamas are completely soaked with sweat.

    Facts

    • People often mistake simple sweating during sleep with true night sweats. Sweating during sleep because the child has too many blankets or pajamas that are too hot is not the same thing as night sweats.

    Cancer

    • True night sweats can be a sign of cancer in children. However, night sweats caused by cancer will only show up in conjunction with other significant symptoms, like fever and unexplained weight loss.

    Infection or Illness

    • Authentic night sweats can also be a sign of tuberculosis or other bacterial diseases. Children suffering from AIDS are also known to experience night sweats.

    Medications

    • Children taking antidepressants tend to experience night sweats. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also induce night sweats in children as the fever decreases.

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