How Clinicians Manage Sleep During Inpatient Hospitalization Following Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell
Lydia Chevalier1,2, Eva Robinson3, Edie Weller3
1Department of Supportive Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients frequently experience sleep problems during hospitalization. Clinicians often use patient-level interventions like melatonin, despite identifying external factors as more disruptive.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients commonly face sleep disruptions during inpatient stays.
- Current clinical guidelines for managing inpatient sleep disturbances in pediatric HSCT are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current clinical practices for managing sleep disruptions in hospitalized pediatric HSCT patients.
- To identify perceived causes of sleep issues and common interventions used by healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to 111 healthcare professionals (prescribers, nurses, psychosocial staff) involved in pediatric HSCT care across the United States.
- Participants reported on the prevalence of sleep issues and their approaches to management.
Main Results:
- Clinicians estimated that 58% of pediatric HSCT inpatients develop sleep problems.
- External factors like noise were perceived as most impactful, yet patient-level interventions (e.g., melatonin) were most frequently implemented.
- A discrepancy exists between perceived causes and implemented interventions for sleep disruptions.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric HSCT clinicians frequently encounter sleep disruptions but lack formal management guidelines.
- There is a need for research evaluating the effectiveness of current interventions and for developing system-level strategies to mitigate external sleep barriers.
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