Sex Differences in Sleep Disturbances In Middle Childhood: Findings From an Urban Pediatric Cohort Study

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Male children are at higher risk for objectively measured sleep disturbances compared to female children, particularly in those older than 10 years and from minority backgrounds or homes with low maternal education. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Shuangyu Zhao; Yì Wáng; Seyni Gueye-Ndiaye; Xiaoyu Li; Judith Owens; Diane R Gold; Jarvis T. Chen; Wanda Phipatanakul; Susan Redline

doi:10.1093/sleep/zsag051

February 21, 2026SLEEP

Sex Differences in Sleep Disturbances In Middle Childhood: Findings From an Urban Pediatric Cohort Study

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Key Points

To examine the differences in sleep disturbances between male and female children in middle childhood.
Analyzed sleep disturbances in an urban pediatric cohort
Measured sleep outcomes objectively and through caregiver reports
Identified associations with age, ethno-racial background, and maternal education
Male children exhibited higher risk for objectively measured sleep disturbances
Caregiver-reported sleep outcomes did not show the same differences
Elevated risk in older males (over 10 years) from minority backgrounds or low maternal education

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Implication

Cohort study reveals sex differences in sleep outcomes among urban children, suggesting health disparities persist.

Abstract

Male children were at higher risk for several objectively measured but not for caregiver-reported sleep outcomes; findings were unexplained by common health problems. Risk appeared further elevated in males who were older than 10 years and were of minority ethno-racial background or from homes with low maternal education.

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Cite This Study

Zhao et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a7cd9dd48f933b5eeda1e8 https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsag051

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Sex Differences in Sleep Disturbances In Middle Childhood: Findings From an Urban Pediatric Cohort Study

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Sex Differences in Sleep Disturbances In Middle Childhood: Findings From an Urban Pediatric Cohort Study

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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