Interview with Ignacio E. Tapia, Christopher M. Cielo, and Liat Tikotzky

Why did you feel that it was important to write a book on this topic? What does Assessment and Treatment of Infant Sleep, add to the field?

Infant sleep is crucial for a child’s overall health and development, laying the foundation for their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Adequate sleep supports brain development, memory consolidation, and learning processes, enabling infants to grow and thrive. However, there were no reference books dedicated solely to infants. We felt that infants deserved a comprehensive book including medical and behavioral topics. Addressing both medical and behavioral aspects of infant sleep ensures a comprehensive approach

What is the most exciting aspect of Assessment and Treatment of Infant Sleep? What chapter or topic covered are you most excited about?  

We are particularly enthusiastic about the book’s interdisciplinary approach, which seamlessly integrates insights from various fields to offer a comprehensive understanding of both normal development and pathological conditions. This combination is crucial for a nuanced perspective on complex issues. We are especially appreciative of the chapters that highlight research on underrepresented groups, as they bring to light valuable perspectives and experiences that have historically been overlooked. This inclusive approach not only enriches the content but also ensures a more equitable representation of diverse populations, advancing our collective knowledge and improving outcomes for all.

Who will find the greatest value from Assessment and Treatment of Infant Sleep, and why?  

Healthcare providers and students will benefit from gaining a comprehensive view of infant sleep. This is especially valuable for general pediatricians, pediatric psychologists, pediatric sleep physicians and psychologists, pediatric pulmonologists, pediatric neurologists, as well as adult medicine physicians and psychologists specializing in sleep. They will receive an interdisciplinary perspective on normal infant sleep and common variations, enriching their understanding and enhancing their ability to provide holistic care.

What new ideas, practices, or procedures do you hope your readers take away from Assessment and Treatment of Infant Sleep?  

We hope readers recognize the significance of an interdisciplinary approach in evaluating infant sleep and advocate for expanding the inclusion of pediatric sleep psychologists in sleep clinics. We hope younger learners will recognize that there are still many questions related to both healthy sleep and sleep disorders in infants that are yet to be answered, and that this book may inspire some to consider this area of research or clinical care.

What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?  

It would be great if sleep health could become mainstream and be taught in schools. Specifically, we would like the next generation to understand the importance of good sleep hygiene and practices first, and then solve breathing issues during sleep. There is a limited understanding of how sleep problems in infancy affect health later in childhood and beyond, so future longitudinal studies are needed to better understand this relationship to determine when and how to intervene.

Is there anything else about the book you’d like to add?

The work of our mentors inspired us to write this book: Jodi Mindell, PhD; the late Carole Marcus, MBBCh; and the late Avi Sadeh, PhD.

About the Authors

Ignacio E. Tapia, MD, is a Chief of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Batchelor Professor of Cystic Fibrosis and Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of Miami; He also serves as the Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship Program Director. He graduated from the University of Concepcion, Chile, and completed his pediatric residency and pediatric pulmonology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is a board certified in General Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Sleep Medicine.

His main research interests include the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children, clinical trials focusing on the treatment of OSAS in children, health disparities in pediatric sleep, and the consequences of OSAS in individuals with Down syndrome. His research has been funded by the American Heart Association, the University of Pennsylvania, the American Sleep Medicine Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. He also chair the Career Development Awards at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and am a standing member of the Biobehavioral Medicine and Health Outcomes NIH study section.

Christopher M. Cielo, DO, MS, is a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine physician and serves as Director of the Sleep Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; he is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Pennsylvania, where he completed fellowships in Sleep Medicine and Pediatric Pulmonology. His clinical work and research program focuses on the evaluation and management of obstructive sleep apnea in children, and has a particular interest in high-risk populations including children with Down syndrome and craniofacial differences. He is currently the principal investigator of two clinical trials comparing home sleep apnea testing to in-lab polysomnography in children (funded by NIH and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine). He has been involved with committees and hold leadership positions in multiple national organizations, including the American Thoracic Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Consortium. At CHOP, He is a member of the IRB, he directs the Center for Human Phenomic Science Sleep Core, and a co-lead of the Sleep and Circadian Research Affinity Group. In his free time, he and his wife enjoy cheering on their three school-age kids.

Liat Tikotzky, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. He completed his doctorate in psychology under the supervision of the late Professor Avi Sadeh. He specialize in infant, child, and parent sleep, with my primary research interests focusing on sleep within the family context. He has been the principal investigator of several longitudinal studies funded by the Israel Science Foundation that examined parenting factors that contribute to the development of objective and subjective sleep patterns and sleep problems in early childhood. Additionally, his research explores the relationship between parental sleep disturbances (both mothers and fathers), parental functioning, and the parent-infant relationship. Currently, he is the principal investigator of an intervention study testing the mechanisms underlying the effects of two behavioral treatments for early childhood insomnia.

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