Institute for Continuing Education

Children and Sleep

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Analyze the developmental progression of sleep architecture, circadian rhythms, and sleep-wake patterns from infancy through adolescence, understanding age-specific normative sleep parameters including total sleep time requirements, sleep stage distributions (REM, N1, N2, N3), sleep cycle characteristics, circadian phase preferences, and physiological changes in respiratory and cardiac function during sleep across pediatric developmental stages as of 2025.
• Differentiate pediatric-specific diagnostic criteria for sleep disorders from adult criteria, including obstructive sleep apnea (pediatric OAHI ?1 event/hour vs. adult AHI ?5), central sleep apnea patterns in infancy, parasomnias presenting predominantly in childhood (sleepwalking, sleep terrors, confusional arousals), behavioral insomnia of childhood subtypes, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder considerations, and narcolepsy presentation differences in pediatric populations.
• Evaluate the bidirectional relationships between pediatric sleep disorders and neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and medical comorbidities including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety and mood disorders, learning disabilities, obesity and metabolic dysfunction, and the mechanistic pathways linking sleep disturbance to cognitive, behavioral, and physical health outcomes in developing children.
• Apply modified polysomnography techniques and protocols for pediatric patients including age-appropriate preparation and behavioral management strategies, specialized electrode placement and montage considerations for infants and young children, scoring rules specific to pediatric populations per AASM guidelines, recognition of age-related artifacts and normal variants, and interpretation of pediatric sleep studies considering developmental context and normative values.
• Synthesize knowledge of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea pathophysiology, risk factors (adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, craniofacial abnormalities, neuromuscular conditions, genetic syndromes), clinical presentation (snoring, witnessed apneas, mouth breathing, behavioral problems, growth impairment), diagnostic evaluation, treatment options (adenotonsillectomy, positive airway pressure therapy, orthodontic interventions, weight management), and post-treatment assessment strategies.
• Integrate understanding of behavioral sleep disorders in children including behavioral insomnia of childhood (sleep-onset association type, limit-setting type, combined type), insufficient sleep syndrome, delayed sleep-wake phase disorder in adolescents, parasomnias (NREM and REM parasomnias), and evidence-based behavioral interventions including sleep hygiene education, graduated extinction, positive routines, circadian interventions, and family-centered approaches.
• Demonstrate proficiency in communicating with pediatric patients and families including developmentally appropriate education about sleep health, explanation of diagnostic procedures and findings in accessible language, presentation of treatment recommendations with shared decision-making, anticipatory guidance about developmental sleep changes, and collaboration with pediatricians, behavioral specialists, and multidisciplinary teams to optimize sleep health outcomes for children across the developmental spectrum.

Course Information

Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child’s health and growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits. This course offers a variety of perspectives on children’s sleep and sleep disorders