Pediatric Sleep Disorders: Taking Care of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Abstract

Pediatric sleep disorders are common, underrecognized conditions with significant short-term and long-term consequences for physical health, neurocognitive development, mental well-being, and family functioning. This article provides a comprehensive, clinically focused overview of pediatric sleep disorders, with particular emphasis on Generation Z and Generation Alpha cohorts who are uniquely shaped by pervasive digital exposure, circadian disruption, and contemporary psychosocial stressors. Normal developmental changes in sleep architecture are reviewed to distinguish physiologic variation from pathology. Key sleep disorders including insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, sleep-disordered breathing, parasomnias, and sleep-related bruxism are discussed.