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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Childhood sleep disorders: practical management for the pediatrician

Joseph Collins1

  • 1Division Neurology and Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|June 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), behavioral insomnia, and delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, require timely intervention. Early identification and tailored management strategies by pediatricians improve neurobehavioral outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Child Behavioral Health

Background:

  • Sleep disorders significantly affect children's cognitive and behavioral health.
  • Rising rates of pediatric obesity and neurodevelopmental diagnoses necessitate updated diagnostic frameworks.
  • Primary care providers need tools to distinguish between anatomical, behavioral, and circadian sleep issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide primary care providers with updated frameworks for diagnosing pediatric sleep disorders.
  • To guide timely intervention for sleep disturbances impacting pediatric development.
  • To differentiate between obstructive sleep apnea, behavioral insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on pediatric sleep disorders.
  • Analysis of management strategies for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), behavioral insomnia, and Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD).
  • Emphasis on integrating diagnostic tools into routine pediatric care.

Main Results:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is often linked to adenotonsillar hypertrophy; surgery improves quality of life and behavior.
  • Behavioral insomnia is effectively treated with extinction-based techniques.
  • Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) in adolescents is managed with light therapy and melatonin.

Conclusions:

  • Routine well-child visits should include oropharyngeal exams and sleep hygiene counseling.
  • Adenotonsillectomy is the primary treatment for OSA, while behavioral and circadian issues require caregiver education and consistent routines.
  • Early pediatrician identification of sleep disorders reduces long-term neurobehavioral morbidity and facilitates specialist referrals.
Abstract

Keywords:
insomniaobstructive sleep apneasleep hygiene

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