This resource published in Pediatric Research, discusses the complex relationship between sleep and development in children with cerebral palsy, highlighting current limitations in research and emphasising the need for larger, longitudinal studies and improved assessment methods to better understand and address sleep problems in this population.

Sleep plays a vital role in children’s physical growth, brain development, and emotional wellbeing. However, children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience higher rates of sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, breathing problems during sleep, and daytime fatigue. These challenges may further affect developmental outcomes, particularly in early childhood.