Delegate: Perran Boran
Delegate Short Bio: Global Pediatric Sleep Researcher | Professor & Department Chair | IPSA Board | WSA Faculty | PhD Program Founder | Published Author
I work at the intersection of pediatric sleep medicine, parental mental health, and early childhood development, advancing family-centered and culturally responsive models of care. I am Professor and Head of the Division of Social Pediatrics at Marmara University School of Medicine, and the founding Director of the Social Pediatrics PhD Program at Marmara University Institute of Health Sciences.
My clinical and research work focuses on early childhood insomnia, pediatric sleep disorders, and family-centered behavioral sleep interventions. In 2016, I established the Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Disorders Clinic at Marmara University Hospital, providing specialized care for infants and young children with sleep disturbances.
I am the author of a sleep book for parents and professionals on early childhood insomnia and culturally responsive, evidence-based sleep guidance.
My research examines maternal–infant sleep trajectories, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (DBAS), parental mental health, and the development of psychologically informed behavioral sleep interventions. I have led projects funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), the Marmara University Scientific Research Projects Commission, and the UK Medical Research Council (MRC), including an MRC-funded randomized controlled trial on preventive interventions for postnatal depression conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Liverpool.
I hold the World Sleep Society International Sleep Specialist certification (2025) and Sleep Disorders Certificates from UYKUDER (2023) and the Turkish Sleep Medicine Society (2025), including advanced sleep laboratory training and extensive polysomnography (PSG) interpretation.
After completing a one-year advanced training program at the World Sleep Academy (WSA), I joined its Faculty and Committee, contributing to the Tier 3 Pediatrics curriculum and serving as Associate Director (2024–2025).
Internationally, I serve on the Board of Directors of the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) (2025–2029).
In collaboration with Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, I co-developed the NEST theoretical framework, integrating pediatric sleep health, parental well-being, and early caregiving systems within a culturally responsive model aligned with the WHO Nurturing Care Framework.
I supervise PhD candidates and pediatric residents, mentoring doctoral and specialty research in pediatric sleep and developmental health.
Scope of Activity: Individual activity
Activity: 1. Instagram Live Session: Infant Sleep – Evidence-Based Q&A for Parents
An interactive Instagram Live session was conducted to address common parental concerns regarding infant sleep. Questions were collected over the course of one week prior to the session, allowing for the identification of key themes and the development of a structured, evidence-based discussion.
The session lasted approximately one hour and provided clear, accessible, and scientifically grounded responses to parents’ questions, covering topics such as sleep patterns, night awakenings, feeding-related sleep issues, and sleep development.
The activity achieved substantial reach, with approximately 44,000 accounts reached and 950 participants attending live, demonstrating high public engagement and interest in infant sleep.
2. Instagram Live Session: Infant Sleep Q&A for Parents
A second Instagram Live session was delivered as part of an invited outreach activity, focusing on answering parents’ questions on infant sleep. The 30-minute session provided concise, practical, and evidence-based guidance on common sleep-related concerns.
The session aimed to translate scientific knowledge into accessible information for parents, supporting informed caregiving and promoting healthy infant sleep practices.
Location: Istanbul
Date of Activity: 12.3.2026, 13.3.2026
