Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
In-home salivary melatonin collection: Methodology for children and adolescents
Belinda N Mandrell1, Yvonne Avent1, Breya Walker1
1St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Insights
Collecting saliva samples at home for dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) testing is feasible for children and adolescents. This family-centered method ensures high adherence and sample quality, regardless of age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Chronobiology
- Biomarker Analysis
Background:
- Assessing dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) typically requires laboratory-based salivary collection.
- The feasibility and quality of in-home salivary collection for DLMO in pediatric populations remain largely uncharacterized.
- Establishing reliable home-based methods is crucial for broader clinical and research applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel, family-centered methodology for in-home salivary collection in children and adolescents.
- To determine the acceptance, feasibility, and adherence rates associated with this home-based collection protocol.
- To investigate the relationship between participant age and the quality of collected salivary samples.
Main Methods:
- A family-centered instructional approach was used to guide participants in collecting salivary melatonin samples at home.
- Participants (N=64), including children and adolescents with craniopharyngioma, followed the provided collection guidelines.
- Adherence to the collection schedule and the quantity/quality of collected samples were assessed.
Main Results:
- High adherence to the collection schedule was observed, with 90% of participants following the prescribed timeline.
- A significant majority of samples (89%) met the criteria for sufficient quantity and quality.
- No statistically significant differences in sample quality or quantity were found between the pediatric and adolescent age groups.
Conclusions:
- In-home salivary collection using a family-centered methodology is an acceptable and feasible approach for pediatric populations.
- This method effectively yields high-quality salivary melatonin samples suitable for DLMO assessment in children and adolescents.
- The findings support the wider adoption of home-based salivary collection for pediatric biomarker studies.
Abstract:
In-home salivary collection quality and adherence to a prescribed collection methodology for evaluation of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) is unknown in children. Primary aims of this study were to 1) describe a novel family centered methodology for in-home salivary collection; 2) determine the acceptance and feasibility of this methodology; 3) measure adherence to collection instructions; and 4) identify patterns between participants' age and quality of samples collected. After receiving instructional handouts from the study team, families utilized in-home salivary melatonin collection. Participants (N = 64) included 39 children (21 female, mean age 9.5 ± 1.61 years) and 25 adolescents (11 female, mean age 15.9 ± 2.12 years) with craniopharyngioma. Participants were 90% adherent to collection schedule, and 89% of the samples collected were of sufficient quantity and quality, with no differences found between age (child vs. adolescent) and melatonin sample quantity and quality. In-home saliva collection provides an acceptable and feasible method to collect salivary melatonin and biomarkers in children and adolescents.
