Specializing In
- Sleep Disorders
Biography
Rafael Pelayo, MD is a clinical professor at Stanford University’s Sleep Medicine division and the author of How to Sleep. Since 1993 he has worked at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic treating patients of all ages. He teaches the popular Dement’s Sleep and Dreams undergraduate course and co-authored the textbook with Dr. William Dement. He has lectured throughout the country and internationally. He helped lead the effort to delay school start times for adolescents in California. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Puerto Rico. His initial exposure to sleep medicine was as a medical student at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and it became the focus of his career. He trained in child neurology as a pathway into sleep medicine. He currently volunteers in leadership positions for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the National Sleep Foundation, Start School Later, and the California Sleep Society.
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Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Fellowship: Stanford University School of Medicine (1994) CA
- Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1993) NY
- Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1990) NY
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- Medical Education: Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1988) NY
- Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Sleep Medicine (2007)
- Internship: New York Presbyterian Medical Center (1989) NY
Honors & Awards
- Chairman’s Educational Excellence Award, Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science (2018)
- Chairman’s Unsung Hero Award, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science (2020)
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Publications
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Power spectral sleep EEG findings in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndromes
Guilleminault, C., Kim, Y. D., Horita, M., Tsutumi, M., & Pelayo, R. (1999). Power spectral sleep EEG findings in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndromes. Presented at the 14th International Congress of EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology, FLORENCE,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY,ITALY: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. -
Pediatric sleep-related breathing disorders
Messner, A. H., & Pelayo, R. (2000). Pediatric sleep-related breathing disorders. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY, 21(2), 98–107. -
Apparent life-threatening events, facial dysmorphia and sleep-disordered breathing
Guilleminault, C., Pelayo, R., Leger, D., & Philip, P. (2000). Apparent life-threatening events, facial dysmorphia and sleep-disordered breathing. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 159(6), 444–49. -
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Narcolepsy in children: a practical guide to its diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Guilleminault, C., & Pelayo, R. (2000). Narcolepsy in children: a practical guide to its diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Paediatric Drugs, 2(1), 1–9. -
Sleep-disordered breathing and upper-airway anomalies in first-degree relatives of ALTE children
Guilleminault, C., Pelayo, R., Leger, D., Philip, P., & Ohayon, M. (2001). Sleep-disordered breathing and upper-airway anomalies in first-degree relatives of ALTE children. PEDIATRIC RESEARCH, 50(1), 14–22. -
Sleepwalking and sleep terrors in prepubertal children: What triggers them?
Guilleminault, C., Palombini, L., Pelayo, R., & Chervin, R. D. (2003). Sleepwalking and sleep terrors in prepubertal children: What triggers them? PEDIATRICS, 111(1). -
Abnormal blood pressure in prepubertal children with sleep-disordered breathing
Guilleminault, C., Khramsov, A., Stoohs, R. A., Kushida, C., Pelayo, R., Kreutzer, M. L., & Chowdhuri, S. (2004). Abnormal blood pressure in prepubertal children with sleep-disordered breathing. PEDIATRIC RESEARCH, 55(1), 76–84. -
Sleep disordered breathing: Surgical outcomes in prepubertal children
Guilleminault, C., Li, K. K., Khramtsov, A., Pelayo, R., & Martinez, S. (2004). Sleep disordered breathing: Surgical outcomes in prepubertal children. LARYNGOSCOPE, 114(1), 132–37. -
Breathing patterns in prepubertal children with sleep-related breathing disorders
Guilleminault, C., Li, K., Khramtsov, A., Palombini, L., & Pelayo, R. (2004). Breathing patterns in prepubertal children with sleep-related breathing disorders. ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE, 158(2), 153–61. -
Pediatric sleep pharmacology: you want to give my kid sleeping pills?
Pelayo, R., Chen, W., Monzon, S., & Guilleminault, C. (2004). Pediatric sleep pharmacology: you want to give my kid sleeping pills? PEDIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA, 51(1), 117-? -
Efficacy of automated continuous positive airway pressure in children with sleep-related breathing disorders in an attended setting
Palombini, L., Pelayo, R., & Guilleminault, C. (2004). Efficacy of automated continuous positive airway pressure in children with sleep-related breathing disorders in an attended setting. PEDIATRICS, 113(5), E412–E417. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology
Pelayo, R., & Dubik, M. (2008). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology. SEMINARS IN PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY, 15(2), 79–90. -
Public health impact and treatment of insomnia.
Dement, W., & Pelayo, R. (1997). Public health impact and treatment of insomnia. European Psychiatry , 12, 31–39. -
Chapter 34: the history of sleep medicine.
Pelayo, R., Hodgson, N., & Guilleminault, C. (2010). Chapter 34: the history of sleep medicine. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 95, 547–56. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology
Pelayo, R., & Yuen, K. (2012). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology. CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA, 21(4), 861-? -
Treatment of Sleep Disorders
Pelayo, R., & Mignot, E. (2012). Treatment of Sleep Disorders. NEUROTHERAPEUTICS, 9(4), 685–86. -
NONDRUG TREATMENT TRIALS IN PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INSOMNIA
Guilleminault, C., Clerk, A., Black, J., LABANOWSKI, M., Pelayo, R., & Claman, D. (1995). NONDRUG TREATMENT TRIALS IN PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INSOMNIA. ARCHIVES OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, 155(8), 838–44. -
HOME NASAL CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE IN INFANTS WITH SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING
Guilleminault, C., Pelayo, R., Clerk, A., Leger, D., & BOCIAN, R. C. (1995). HOME NASAL CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE IN INFANTS WITH SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 127(6), 905–12. -
ADULT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA WITH SECONDARY ENURESIS
Brown, M. A., Jacobs, M. B., & Pelayo, R. (1995). ADULT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP-APNEA WITH SECONDARY ENURESIS. WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 163(5), 478–480. -
Development of circadian rhythmicity of temperature in full-term normal infants
Guilleminault, C., Leger, D., Pelayo, R., Gould, S., Hayes, B., & Miles, L. (1996). Development of circadian rhythmicity of temperature in full-term normal infants. NEUROPHYSIOLOGIE CLINIQUE-CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, 26(1), 21–29. -
Recognition of sleep-disordered breathing in children
Guilleminault, C., Pelayo, R., Leger, D., Clerk, A., & Bocian, R. C. Z. (1996). Recognition of sleep-disordered breathing in children. PEDIATRICS, 98(5), 871–82. -
Obstructive sleep apnea surgery: Risk management and complications
Riley, R. W., Powell, N. B., Guilleminault, C., Pelayo, R., Troell, R. J., & Li, K. K. (1997). Obstructive sleep apnea surgery: Risk management and complications. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, 117(6), 648–52. -
Narcolepsy in prepubertal children
Guilleminault, C., & Pelayo, R. (1998). Narcolepsy in prepubertal children. ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, 43(1), 135–42. -
Sleep-disordered breathing in children
Guilleminault, C., & Pelayo, R. (1998). Sleep-disordered breathing in children. ANNALS OF MEDICINE, 30(4), 350–56. -
Public health impact and treatment of insomnia
Dement, W. C., & Pelayo, R. (1997). Public health impact and treatment of insomnia. EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY, 12, S31–S39. -
Reliability of respiratory polygraphy for the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children
Alonso Alvarez, M. L., Teran Santos, J., Cordero Guevara, J. A., Navazo Eguia, A. I., Ordax Carbajo, E., Masa Jimenez, J. F., & Pelayo, R. (2008). Reliability of respiratory polygraphy for the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children. ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA, 44(6), 318–323. -
Evaluation of a new pediatric positive airway pressure mask.
Kushida, C. A., Halbower, A. C., Kryger, M. H., Pelayo, R., Assalone, V., Cardell, C.-Y., … Mendoza, J. (2014). Evaluation of a new pediatric positive airway pressure mask. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine , 10(9). -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology: A Primer
Troester, M. M., & Pelayo, R. (2015). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology: A Primer. SEMINARS IN PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY, 22(2), 135–47. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology: A Primer.
Troester, M. M., & Pelayo, R. (2015). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology: A Primer. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 22(2), 135–47. -
Socioeconomic Impact of Pediatric Sleep Disorders.
Yuen, K. M., & Pelayo, R. (2017). Socioeconomic Impact of Pediatric Sleep Disorders. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 12(1), 23–30. -
Reminiscences of Michel Jouvet.
Dement, W. C., & Pelayo, R. (2018). Reminiscences of Michel Jouvet. Sleep Medicine. -
Sleep-deprived motor vehicle operators are unfit to drive: a multidisciplinary expert consensus statement on drowsy driving
Czeisler, C. A., Wickwire, E. M., Barger, L. K., Dement, W. C., Gamble, K., Hartenbaum, N., … Hirshkowitz, M. (2016). Sleep-deprived motor vehicle operators are unfit to drive: a multidisciplinary expert consensus statement on drowsy driving. SLEEP HEALTH, 2(2), 94–99. -
William C. Dement (1928-2020).
Pelayo, R., & Mourrain, P. (2020). William C. Dement (1928-2020). Science (New York, N.Y.), 369(6503), 512. -
School start time: a public health crisis.
Sheldon, S. H., & Pelayo, R. (2020). School start time: a public health crisis. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM : Official Publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. -
Variable negative external pressure-an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study.
Kram, J. A., & Pelayo, R. (2021). Variable negative external pressure-an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM : Official Publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. -
Adolescent sleep health and school start times: Setting the research agenda for California and beyond: A research summit summary: A research summit summary.
Ziporyn, T. D., Owens, J. A., Wahlstrom, K. L., Wolfson, A. R., Troxel, W. M., Saletin, J. M., … Carskadon, M. A. (1800). Adolescent sleep health and school start times: Setting the research agenda for California and beyond: A research summit summary: A research summit summary. Sleep Health, 661. -
Good Sleep, Better Life-Enhancing Health and Safety With Optimal Sleep.
Rosekind, M. R., Pelayo, R., & Babcock, D. A. (2022). Good Sleep, Better Life-Enhancing Health and Safety With Optimal Sleep. JAMA Internal Medicine. -
Long-Term Use of Insomnia Medications: An Appraisal of the Current Clinical and Scientific Evidence.
Zee, P. C., Bertisch, S. M., Morin, C. M., Pelayo, R., Watson, N. F., Winkelman, J. W., & Krystal, A. D. (2023). Long-Term Use of Insomnia Medications: An Appraisal of the Current Clinical and Scientific Evidence. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4). -
What Should Be the Focus of Treatment When Insomnia Disorder Is Comorbid with Depression or Anxiety Disorder?
Morin, C. M., Bertisch, S. M., Pelayo, R., Watson, N. F., Winkelman, J. W., Zee, P. C., & Krystal, A. D. (2023). What Should Be the Focus of Treatment When Insomnia Disorder Is Comorbid with Depression or Anxiety Disorder? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(5). -
A Roadmap of Craniofacial Growth Modification for Children with Sleep Disordered Breathing: A Multidisciplinary Proposal.
Yoon, A., Gozal, D., Kushida, C., Pelayo, R., Liu, S., Faldu, J., & Hong, C. (2023). A Roadmap of Craniofacial Growth Modification for Children with Sleep Disordered Breathing: A Multidisciplinary Proposal. Sleep. -
Should Trazodone Be First-Line Therapy for Insomnia? A Clinical Suitability Appraisal.
Pelayo, R., Bertisch, S. M., Morin, C. M., Winkelman, J. W., Zee, P. C., & Krystal, A. D. (2023). Should Trazodone Be First-Line Therapy for Insomnia? A Clinical Suitability Appraisal. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(8). -
Do Insomnia Treatments Improve Daytime Function?
Watson, N. F., Bertisch, S. M., Morin, C. M., Pelayo, R., Winkelman, J. W., Zee, P. C., & Krystal, A. D. (2023). Do Insomnia Treatments Improve Daytime Function? Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(9). -
In response to the Letter to the Editor regarding "A roadmap of craniofacial growth modification for children with sleep-disordered breathing: a multidisciplinary proposal".
Yoon, A., Gozal, D., Pelayo, R., Kushida, C., Liu, S., & Hong, C. (2023). In response to the Letter to the Editor regarding "A roadmap of craniofacial growth modification for children with sleep-disordered breathing: a multidisciplinary proposal". Sleep. -
Management of Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: From a Multidisciplinary to an Interdisciplinary Care Model.
Arab, M., El Ansari, Y. S., Pelayo, R., & Yoon, A. (2025). Management of Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: From a Multidisciplinary to an Interdisciplinary Care Model. Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research. -
Longitudinal Effects of Sleep Education on Undergraduates and Graduates Students: Insights from Stanford University's Dement's Sleep and Dreams
Pelayo, R., Dias, B. de F., Mejia, G. C. R., Lomba, S., Lemer, A. D., Keenan, S., … Mignot, E. (2025). Longitudinal Effects of Sleep Education on Undergraduates and Graduates Students: Insights from Stanford University's Dement's Sleep and Dreams. SLEEP. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. -
Socioeconomic Impact of Pediatric Sleep Disorders
Yuen, K. M., & Pelayo, R. (2017). Socioeconomic Impact of Pediatric Sleep Disorders. SLEEP MEDICINE CLINICS, 12(1), 23–30. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology
Pelayo, R., & Yuen, K. (2012). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology. CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA, 21(4), 861-+. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology
Pelayo, R., & Yuen, K. (2011). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology. SLEEP IN CHILDHOOD NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, 345–365. -
Reliability of respiratory polygraphy for the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children
Alonso Alvarez, M. L., Teran Santos, J., Cordero Guevara, J. A., Navazo Eguia, A. I., Ordax Carbajo, E., Masa Jimenez, J. F., & Pelayo, R. (2008). Reliability of respiratory polygraphy for the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children. ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA, 44(6), 318–323. -
Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology
Pelayo, R., & Dubik, M. (2008). Pediatric Sleep Pharmacology. SEMINARS IN PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY, 15(2), 79–90. -
Bed sharing with unimpaired parents is not an important risk for sudden infant death syndrome
Pelayo, R., Owens, J., Mindell, J., & Sheldon, S. (2006). Bed sharing with unimpaired parents is not an important risk for sudden infant death syndrome. PEDIATRICS, 117(3), 993–994. -
NARCOLEPSY
Pelayo, R., & Lopes, M. C. (2006). NARCOLEPSY. SLEEP: A COMPREHENSIVE HANDBOOK, 145–150. -
Effect of CPAP and lung volume on obstructive sleep apnea
Sivan, Y., & Pelayo, R. (2005). Effect of CPAP and lung volume on obstructive sleep apnea. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, 172(10), 1349–1350. -
Increased behavioral morbidity in school-aged children with sleep-disordered breathing
Pelayo, R., & Sivan, Y. (2005). Increased behavioral morbidity in school-aged children with sleep-disordered breathing. PEDIATRICS, 116(3), 797–798.
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Narcolepsy in children: a practical guide to its diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
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