Pediatric Sleep Misinformation: A Call to Action for Doctors

In today's digital age, parents frequently turn to the internet for information on various aspects of child-rearing, including pediatric sleep health. Unfortunately, the online world is rife with misinformation, particularly in areas like pediatric sleep, where anecdotal advice often overshadows evidence-based content. This blog post aims to shed light on the prevalence and dangers of misinformation in pediatric sleep health and calls for action from the medical community.

The Spread of Misinformation in Pediatric Sleep Health

The internet and social media platforms serve as primary sources of information for parents seeking guidance on their children's health. However, the abundance of unverified content can lead to the dissemination of misinformation, which poses significant risks to the well-being of children. Sleep is a crucial component of a child's health, influencing everything from cognitive development to emotional stability (Matricciani et al., 2019). Yet, despite its importance, misconceptions about pediatric sleep persist, often fueled by the lack of credible sources online.

Common Misconceptions

• Melatonin for Healthy Children: One prevalent myth is that melatonin supplements are suitable for otherwise healthy children who have difficulty falling asleep. While melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, its long-term effects on children are not well-documented. Relying on melatonin without medical supervision is not advised and can have adverse effects (Robbins et al., 2022).
• The Role of Cortisol in Overtiredness: Another common misconception is that cortisol, the stress hormone, solely causes overtiredness in children. While cortisol plays a role in the sleep-wake cycle (specifically for the ‘second wind’) in addition to the body’s stress response, it is not the sole factor contributing to overtiredness in children.

The Dangers of Misinformation

The spread of misinformation can have dire consequences for children's health. Parents may unintentionally adopt harmful practices based on incorrect advice, such as inappropriate use of sleep aids or neglecting proper sleep hygiene. The stakes are high, as poor sleep in childhood can lead to long-term health issues, including obesity, cognitive impairments, and emotional disorders (Matricciani et al., 2019).

The Medical Community's Role

The medical community has a crucial role to play in combating misinformation and promoting evidence-based practices in pediatric sleep health. Here are some steps we can take:

Increase Presence on Social Media

Healthcare providers and institutions must be more visible on social media platforms. By actively participating in online discussions and providing scientifically backed information, we can counter misinformation and guide parents towards credible resources. Unfortunately, as Carson et al. (2023) found, the majority of content on pediatric sleep aids on platforms like Twitter comes from non-expert individuals.

Hold People Accountable

We must hold individuals and organizations spreading misinformation accountable. Encouraging platforms to fact-check health-related content and labeling information from reliable sources can help mitigate the spread of falsehoods.

Provide Credible Sources of Information

Developing a centralized repository of evidence-based information on pediatric sleep health can serve as a valuable resource for both parents and healthcare professionals. This can include easily accessible articles, guidelines, and FAQs addressing common concerns and misconceptions.

Create Learning Opportunities

It's essential to create learning opportunities for parents and caregivers, empowering them to make informed decisions about their children's sleep health. Workshops, webinars, and community events can facilitate direct engagement between experts and the public.

Conclusion

Misinformation in pediatric sleep health is a pervasive issue that requires immediate attention from the medical community. By increasing our presence online, holding sources accountable, and providing credible information, we can empower parents to make informed decisions for their children's well-being. Let's wake up as a medical community and work collectively to ensure that every parent has access to accurate, evidence-based sleep information.

Frequently asked questions about pediatric sleep misinformation

Where does most pediatric sleep misinformation come from?Social platforms reward advice that is confident and simple, and pediatric sleep suits that format well. The advice is cheap to give, the outcome is hard to audit, and an exhausted parent at 2am is a motivated audience. Most of what circulates is not malicious. It is one family’s experience generalised into a rule.

Which claims come up most often in clinic?Three recur. That a baby who is not sleeping through the night by a fixed age has a problem, when night waking remains developmentally expected well into the second year. That daytime sleep can be traded against night sleep, when the AASM consensus statement gives total daily sleep ranges that include naps (Paruthi et al., J Clin Sleep Med, 2016). And that a settled sleeper can safely share a sleep surface, which runs against the AAP safe sleep recommendations (Moon et al., Pediatrics, 2022).

What should I tell families about melatonin?That it is not approved for pediatric insomnia in Canada or the United States, so any use in children is off-label. The AASM advises that melatonin be used in children only under the guidance of a health professional. Because it is sold as a supplement rather than a medication, dose accuracy and purity are not guaranteed. Parents rarely hear any of this from the place they bought it.

How do I correct a family without losing them?Ask what they have already tried and where the advice came from before offering an alternative. A parent three months into a method is invested in it, and being told it was wrong can land as being told they harmed their child. Name what was reasonable about the attempt, then give one specific change with the reason attached.

References

1. Matricciani L, Paquet C, Galland B, Short M, Olds T. Children's sleep and health: A meta-review. *Sleep Medicine Reviews*. 2019;46:136–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2019.04.011

2. Robbins R, Beebe DW, Byars KC, Grandner M, Hale L, Tapia IE, Wolfson AR, Owens JA. Adolescent sleep myths: Identifying false beliefs that impact adolescent sleep and well-being. *Sleep Health*. 2022;8(6):632–639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2022.10.007

3. Carson M, Moore M, Cicalese O, Dunnewald M, Varker A, Mindell JA, Williamson AA. Variation in Twitter posts referencing pediatric sleep aids. *Sleep Health*. 2023. PubMed link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Carson+pediatric+sleep+aids+Twitter

This article is educational and is not medical advice. Please discuss your child's specific sleep concerns with their healthcare provider. See our full Legal Disclaimer.