Night sweats are subjective reports (often parental) involving an exaggeration of the normal circadian temperature rhythm. They are defined as sweating that occurs solely or predominantly at night. The clinical significance of night sweats, particularly within the paediatric population, remains controversial. Although severe night sweats can be both distressing and disruptive to sleep, in most cases the child is completely unaffected, apyrexial, and awoken by a worried parent.
Conversely, night sweats may be the presenting clinical manifestation of certain serious medical conditions (including malignancy, infection, autoimmune disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea). It is important to be aware of the red flag features to look out for.