New Center to Research Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents
The Danish Sleep Center for Children and Adolescents is the first specialized research center focused on sleep disorders in children and young people. The center aims, among other things, to increase understanding of how sleep affects children’s development, disease progression, and recovery.
By Region H Kommunikation
The center is a collaboration between Herlev and Gentofte Hospital and the upcoming hospital for children, adolescents, and pregnant women at Rigshospitalet, Mary Elizabeth's Hospital. The Danish Sleep Center for Children and Adolescents is being established with a grant of DKK 20 million from 鶹. The research at the center will focus on diagnosis, consequences, and prevention of sleep disorders.
“Sleep is crucial for our well-being, and lack of sleep in children and adolescents can affect the whole family. That is why I’m pleased that we now have a center dedicated to researching sleep disorders in children and young people. We need to better understand the role of sleep during childhood and adolescence, which are critical periods for human development,” says Lars Gaardhøj (S), Regional Council Chair of the Capital Region of Denmark.
The Danish Sleep Center for Children and Adolescents will also create a national network for all researchers in the field of sleep and work to build knowledge that can optimize sleep among both healthy and ill children and adolescents in Denmark and globally. There is a real need for this, says Chief Physician and Ph.D. Nanette Mol Debes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital.
“We know that sleep significantly impacts health, cognition, and well-being. However, we have only limited knowledge about sleep in children and adolescents — both in terms of what normal sleep looks like and how sleep affects current illness, chances of recovery, and the risk of developing diseases later in life. We also want to gain deeper insight into how sleep influences children’s cognitive development, education, and overall well-being,” explains Nanette Mol Debes, who leads the new center.
Researchers at the center will study and monitor both ill and healthy children to understand the importance of sleep. Therefore, a so-called cohort of children with chronic diseases will be established — including conditions such as headaches, epilepsy, diabetes, brain tumors, or diseases of the muscles and nerves. In addition, the goal is to gain more detailed knowledge of sleep in healthy children by following a group of children from birth and throughout their childhood.
During the first five years, researchers will, among other things, develop tools for more precise identification of sleep and sleep disorders and increase understanding of how sleep affects children’s development, disease progression, and recovery. In the longer term, the plan is also to explore how the management and treatment of sleep disorders in children and adolescents can be improved by conducting studies on both medical and non-medical treatment options.
At the Lundbeck Foundation, who is contributing to funding the center, Scientific Director Jan Egebjerg looks forward to following the work:
“With the establishment of DCPS, we are contributing to the advancement of pediatric sleep research. We expect the center to generate new insights into how sleep influences disease progression and recovery, as well as the long-term effects of sleep disturbances on the developing brain. All with the aim of developing new efficient treatments to help children with sleep disturbances”, says Jan Egebjerg.
The results will not only benefit children with sleep disorders but also create new knowledge that can be used in the treatment of other patient groups — for example, children with psychiatric conditions and adults with similar sleep problems. The technologies and AI tools developed by the center will be useful in both future research and clinical practice.
Link to press release and press contact at the Danish Capital Region:
Sleep disorders are defined as disturbed or insufficient sleep, experienced as difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.
This may manifest as, for example, waking up during the night, waking up too early without being able to fall asleep again, resulting in negative consequences for daily functioning and mental well-being.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder where a person has the opportunity to sleep but lacks the ability to do so. It can be either acute or chronic.
If sleep problems lead to reduced daytime functioning, treatment may be indicated.
The Danish Sleep Center for Children and Adolescents
The center is a collaboration between the Departments of Pediatrics at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital and Mary Elizabeth’s Hospital, which is set to open in 2027. The Lundbeck Foundation is supporting the establishment of the center with a grant of DKK 20 million.
The center is expected to launch after the summer holidays of 2025, and researchers from Mary Elizabeth’s Hospital and Herlev and Gentofte Hospital will be part of the steering committee. Patient inclusion for the cohort is expected to begin on January 1, 2026.
The center will also have a strong outreach and communication effort, aiming to raise awareness of sleep disorders in children, as early detection and intervention are crucial for improving children’s sleep and overall well-being.
