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Medications for sleep disturbances in children
Barbara T Felt1, Ronald D Chervin1
1Section of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (BTF) and University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center (RDC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Abstract:
At least 25% of infants, children, and adolescents have a sleep problem at some point during this developmental period. The management of pediatric sleep-related disorders often begins with behavioral strategies. While medications can be a useful adjunct, they are used off-label for sleep problems in this age group. When used, medications should be chosen carefully and targeted to specific outcomes as part of a comprehensive approach to management. This article reviews medications used for common pediatric sleep problems with a focus on pediatric insomnia and the importance of a multifactorial approach to evaluation and management.
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