Speakers - 2026

Title: The Sleeping Child: science behind normal sleep and sleep disorders.

Abstract

Sleep is a wonderful process with many important roles and as pediatric clinicians it is of utmost importance for us to understand sleep physiology and chronobiology, sleep’s role in brain and body development and what effect lack of sleep would have towards cognition and behavior and vice versa, especially considering the fact that poor lifestyle habits and alarmingly high screen time exposure is the current trend. Sleeping patterns change with age hence we must understand sleep from a developmental view point as well. No sleep topic is complete without discussing about sleep disorders and this is an area where not much light is shed upon. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, Behavioral insomnias etc will be discussed in as much detail as time will allow. Safe sleep practices have to be taught to parents to prevent Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which will be covered in this presentation. The human body is marvelous and its many processes captures the interest of any scientist. One of which is SLEEP and to know that in sleep the body enters a reversible state of unconsciousness while maintaining vital functions, is truly awe inspiring. I consider it important that current generation pediatricians must be well versed in sleep and its disorders in order to help Gen Z, Gen X parents ensure that their Gen Alpha children are well nurtured and nourished.