Expanding Care Horizons in Pediatric Sleep Disorder Management: Adam S. Rappoport, MD

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

“The important thing is to have a candid conversation with families and discuss the details, so they can understand what decision they’re making for their own children.”

Pediatric sleep medicine has increasingly recognized the value of collaborative, multidisciplinary care in addressing sleep disorders in children. By integrating expertise from primary care providers, behavioral health specialists, otolaryngologists (ENTs), and educators, healthcare systems can more effectively identify and manage sleep issues.¹ This approach not only may facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention but can also enhance communication among providers and families, potentially leading to more cohesive and effective treatment plans. Such coordinated care models have been shown to improve outcomes in pediatric sleep health, particularly in underserved communities.

Building on this collaborative foundation, emerging therapies are expanding the arsenal of treatments available for pediatric sleep disorders. For instance, behavioral interventions tailored to the cultural and socioeconomic contexts of families have demonstrated efficacy in improving sleep outcomes in urban children.² Pharmacologic treatments, such as melatonin, have shown promise in managing sleep disturbances, especially among children with neurodevelopmental disorders.³ These advancements underscore the importance of integrating new therapies in a multidisciplinary framework to provide comprehensive, individualized care for pediatric patients.

To dive deeper into these broader trends in pediatric sleep medicine, insights from clinical expert Adam S. Rappoport, MD, in a recent interview with NeurologyLive^® further highlighted how these principles translate into practice. In the conversation, Rappoport, director of sleep medicine at Nemours Children's Health in Florida, discussed the evolving landscape of pediatric sleep care. He emphasized the need for transparent, evidence-based communication with families, ensuring they are well-informed partners in treatment decisions. Furthermore, Rappoport expressed optimism about expanding therapeutic options for children, particularly those who have historically lacked tailored treatments, as pediatric-focused research continues to gain momentum.

REFERENCES
1. Sevecke JR, Meadows TJ. It Takes a Village: Multidisciplinary Approach to Screening and Prevention of Pediatric Sleep Issues. Med Sci (Basel). 2018;6(3):77. Published 2018 Sep 14. doi:10.3390/medsci6030077
2. Clarke A, Fiorvanti C. Meeting families where they sleep: a collaborative approach to improving sleep health for urban children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(4):971-972. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9932
3. McDonagh MS, Holmes R, Hsu F. Pharmacologic Treatments for Sleep Disorders in Children: A Systematic Review. J Child Neurol. 2019;34(5):237-247. doi:10.1177/0883073818821030