Night Sweats in Children

Adults and children can suffer from night sweats, though they occur most often in menopausal women. A child with night sweats does not understand what is happening. He will need his parents to recognize the symptoms and know when and if he should see his doctor.

Introduction

• Night sweats are defined as any excess sweating occurring during the night, according to WebMD. You may need to change your child's pajamas and sheets during the night. Severe night sweats may call for a couple of pajama changes. They do not happen every night. Some children will go days, weeks, or even months between occurrences.

Causes

• The most common causes of night sweats in children are obesity and sleep apnea. Other triggers are autoimmune disease, cerebral palsy, HIV, diabetes, leukemia and tuberculosis. Doctors refer to these night sweats as hot flashes because there is a medical reason for their occurrence. Night sweats can be triggered by a non-medical condition. A hot room, eating spicy food before bed, or wearing too many layers of clothing can cause night sweats.

Symptoms

• A child will suffer fatigue because the night sweats will wake him in the night. He and his sheets will be drenched with sweat. A fever may also accompany the night sweats. He may experience some weight loss and diarrhea. Symptoms may present as flu-like, however these will only last a couple of days.

Treatment

• If your child is having night sweats with no underlying medical condition, there are a few things you can do to help. Lower the room temperature before bed. Have your child drink more water. The water will help replenish what the sweat releases. Do not allow your child to run around before bed. Running around can raise their core body temperature. Dress them in light clothing and only use one blanket. If your child's night sweats are caused by a medical condition, your doctor will prescribe medication.

Warning

• Although night sweats may seem benign, they could be a sign of a serious medical condition. If he is still having night sweats even though the room temperature is low, if the sweats come and go, or if they are always accompanied by fever, pain, or discomfort, take your child to see his doctor.