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Systematic reviews
Ref Number: APCP-PP-002

Domains of Normal Childhood Sleep Across International Guidelines: A Systematic Review

Basnayaka Ralalage Rukshani Nadeesha Gunaratne¹, Anuruddha Padeniya¹
1- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Sri Lanka
Corresponding Author: Basnayaka Ralalage Rukshani Nadeesha Gunaratne (gunaratne.rukshani@gmail.com)
Abstract Body
Introduction: Sleep is fundamental to growth, neurodevelopment, emotional regulation, learning, and immune competence in children. Inadequate or dysregulated sleep is associated with behavioural difficulties, poor academic performance, cardiometabolic risk, and impaired mental health. Although multiple international bodies publish childhood sleep recommendations, the scope and domains addressed vary , and structured comparisons remain limited. Objectives: To systematically map and compare domains of normal sleep health across major international childhood sleep guidelines and identify areas of consensus and divergence. Methods: A structured review of guidelines from ten organizations was conducted, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Paediatrics, World Health Organization, National Sleep Foundation, Canadian Paediatric Society , Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Australian Sleep Health Foundation, European Sleep Research Society , Asia-Pacific Paediatric Sleep Alliance, and Japanese Society of Sleep Research. Recommendations were mapped against thirteen predefined domains of sleep health. Results: Thirteen domains were identified-sleep duration, timing, regularity , quality , environment, hygiene, screen exposure, physical activity , sedentary behaviour, caregiver involvement, health outcomes, cultural context, and pre-sleep routines. Age-specific sleep duration was universally addressed. Behavioural domains were commonly included, while public health frameworks integrated sleep within 24-hour movement paradigms. Cultural and contextual considerations were inconsistently represented. Conclusions: While consensus exists regarding sleep duration, substantial variability remains across behavioural and contextual domains. Integrating comprehensive sleep health domains may strengthen paediatric counselling, improve guideline clarity , and support culturally adaptable sleep promotion strategies across local and global settings.
Keywords: International guidelines; Normal childhood sleep; Sleep across
Presentation Type: Systematic reviews
Disclaimer: The Views and opinions expressed in the articles are of the authors and not of the journal.
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