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Melatonin in children and adolescents with insomnia: a retrospective study

Anna Ivanenko1, Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree, Riva Tauman

  • 1Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|March 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin effectively treated chronic sleep problems in children. Most children showed significant improvement in sleep initiation and maintenance, indicating it is a safe and well-tolerated option.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic sleep initiation and maintenance problems are common in children.
  • Effective and safe treatment options are needed for pediatric insomnia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of melatonin in children with chronic sleep problems.

Main Methods:

  • A naturalistic study involving 32 children with chronic sleep issues.
  • Melatonin treatment administered 1 hour before bedtime for an average of 2.1 months.
  • Dosage averaged 2.0 mg, with outcomes measured by parental reports on sleep latency and awakenings.

Main Results:

  • 90.6% of children experienced partial to complete resolution of sleep problems.
  • Improvements were noted in sleep latency time and reduced number of awakenings.
  • Melatonin was reported as safe and well-tolerated by participants.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for chronic insomnia in children.
  • Further research can explore optimal dosing and long-term effects.
  • Pediatric sleep medicine centers can consider melatonin as a therapeutic option.

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