Pediatricians do not pay enough attention to sleep. This statement may seem at first brash, but when one considers the age range cared for by the practicing generalist, one quickly realizes that sleep is rarely discussed at routine well visits beyond the first 6 to 12 months. Nearly one-third to one-half of a child’s life is spent asleep, especially during the first few years of life. And sleep often becomes a contentious challenge during adolescence. But sleep is rarely addressed as part of the overall health of a child until it becomes an issue.

As more specialists in pediatric sleep are trained, we are learning that many common complaints encountered in the office may be related to poor or ineffective sleep. Better definitions of disorders of the circadian rhythm, so vital to well being, are being described, and strategies are employed to correct them. Improved understanding of disorders of arousal and nocturnal epilepsy will help the office physician target interventions and diagnostic studies. Finally, an appreciation for the impact of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea has led to a targeted approach to surgical versus non-surgical interventions.

"To sleep, perchance to dream," although a small part of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, is perhaps not so far off in describing how vital sleep is to our overall health. Today’s hectic, overscheduled, techno-centric life does not allow adequate rest for our children, much less their parents. After reviewing this issue of Pediatric Annals the participant will be better prepared to assess a child with sleep disturbance as well as serve as a vigorous advocate for better sleep hygiene as a part of overall health maintenance.