Update in pediatric sleep medicine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the most important recent scientific developments in the field of clinical pediatric sleep medicine, specifically as relates to sleep disorders and sleep in special pediatric populations.

RECENT FINDINGS: The major themes covered in this review include sleep-disordered breathing; narcolepsy; restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder; insomnia; sleep in children with medical conditions; and sleep in children with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

SUMMARY: An expanded understanding of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical evaluation methods, sequelae, and empirically supported treatment options of common pediatric sleep disorders, especially in high-risk populations, is key to a rational approach to diagnosis and management of these children in clinical settings.