Sleep Deficiency in Young Children

Abstract

There is growing public health concern about the high prevalence of sleep deficiency in early childhood and the associated risk for sleep-associated poor health outcomes, including metabolic, cardiovascular, and mental health. The recent shift to conceptualize sleep health as a multidimensional construct, influenced by socioecological factors, highlights the potential role of sleep in health disparities. Understanding the development of sleep health and the emergence of sleep disorders in early life is a current priority in pediatric sleep research. Future behavioral sleep interventions should consider the multiple socioecological influences on children's sleep health and be tested using inclusive sampling methods.

Keywords: Children; Health disparities; Infant; Sleep; Sleep deficiency; Sleep inequities.