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Melatonin for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorders

Ivy M Andersen1, JoAnna Kaczmarska, Susan G McGrew

  • 1Sleep Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2551, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|January 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin effectively improved sleep in most children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with few side effects. This suggests melatonin is a safe option for managing insomnia in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Insomnia is a prevalent issue in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Melatonin is frequently used off-label to manage sleep disturbances in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical experience of using melatonin for insomnia in children diagnosed with ASD.
  • To assess the safety and tolerability of melatonin in this specific pediatric group.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of electronic medical records for 107 children (ages 2-18) with ASD who received melatonin.
  • Parental counseling on sleep hygiene was provided to all participants.
  • Clinical response was categorized based on parental reports of sleep improvement and concerns.

Main Results:

  • 60% of children showed improved sleep, while 25% had sleep concerns resolved.
  • Only 13% continued to experience significant sleep problems, and 1% reported worsened sleep.
  • Mild side effects (morning sleepiness, enuresis) were reported in 3% of children; no increased seizures were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment for insomnia in children with ASD.
  • The findings support the potential efficacy of melatonin for this indication.
  • Further controlled trials are warranted to definitively establish melatonin's effectiveness in treating insomnia in children with ASD.

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