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Clinical uses of melatonin in pediatrics
Emilio J Sánchez-Barceló1, Maria D Mediavilla, Russel J Reiter
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria and Institute of Formation and Research "Marques de Valdecilla" (IFIMAV), 39011 Santander, Spain.
Insights
Melatonin shows promise for treating various childhood sleep disorders, including those linked to ADHD and autism. It also aids in sedation, epilepsy management, and reducing oxidative stress in preterm infants, with no reported side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are common in children with various medical and developmental conditions.
- Melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles, has potential therapeutic applications in pediatric populations.
- Existing research suggests melatonin's utility beyond sleep, including in neurological and stress-related conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze clinical trial data on melatonin use in children.
- To evaluate melatonin's efficacy for diverse pediatric sleep disorders and other medical conditions.
- To assess the safety profile of melatonin treatments in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and analysis of clinical trials involving melatonin in children.
- Examination of studies focusing on sleep disorders, neurological conditions, and neonatal care.
- Assessment of reported outcomes, including efficacy and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Melatonin effectively treats dyssomnias, particularly delayed sleep phase syndrome, in children.
- It benefits children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and other neurological/medical conditions.
- Melatonin demonstrates sedative properties, aids in epilepsy and febrile seizure management, reduces oxidative stress in preterm neonates, and improves infant sleep when administered via breast milk or formula.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin is a promising therapeutic agent for a wide range of pediatric conditions, especially sleep disturbances.
- Its safety profile in children appears favorable, with no reported side effects.
- Further research is needed to optimize dosage, formulations, and treatment duration for pediatric use.
Abstract:
This study analyzes the results of clinical trials of treatments with melatonin conducted in children, mostly focused on sleep disorders of different origin. Melatonin is beneficial not only in the treatment of dyssomnias, especially delayed sleep phase syndrome, but also on sleep disorders present in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorders, and, in general, in all sleep disturbances associated with mental, neurologic, or other medical disorders. Sedative properties of melatonin have been used in diagnostic situations requiring sedation or as a premedicant in children undergoing anesthetic procedures. Epilepsy and febrile seizures are also susceptible to treatment with melatonin, alone or associated with conventional antiepileptic drugs. Melatonin has been also used to prevent the progression in some cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In newborns, and particularly those delivered preterm, melatonin has been used to reduce oxidative stress associated with sepsis, asphyxia, respiratory distress, or surgical stress. Finally, the administration of melatonin, melatonin analogues, or melatonin precursors to the infants through the breast-feeding, or by milk formula adapted for day and night, improves their nocturnal sleep. Side effects of melatonin treatments in children have not been reported. Although the above-described results are promising, specific studies to resolve the problem of dosage, formulations, and length of treatment are necessary.
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