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[Pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with sleep disorders: an overview]

Katharina Grau1, Paul L Plener1

  • 11 Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie/-psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm.

Zeitschrift Fur Kinder- Und Jugendpsychiatrie Und Psychotherapie
|December 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Pharmacotherapy for pediatric sleep disorders is considered when non-drug approaches fail. Melatonin shows promise for children with autism spectrum disorder, but evidence for other medications is limited, favoring non-drug treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sleep difficulties affect approximately 20% of children and adolescents.
  • Insomnia in minors leads to reduced psychosocial functioning and significant distress.
  • Effective treatment strategies are crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a literature overview on pharmacotherapy for sleep disorders in children and adolescents.
  • To evaluate the evidence for different substance classes in hypnotic indications.
  • To guide clinical decision-making regarding medication use.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on pharmacotherapy for pediatric sleep disorders.
  • Analysis of substance classes used for hypnotic indications in minors.
  • Examination of evidence for efficacy and tolerability.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin has demonstrated positive effects on sleep in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Limited evidence exists for the efficacy and tolerability of other medications in primary insomnia or sleep disorders in minors with psychiatric conditions.
  • Non-drug treatment strategies are preferred.

Conclusions:

  • Non-drug interventions for sleep disorders in children and adolescents should be prioritized.
  • Pharmacotherapy should only be considered as a secondary option after careful evaluation.
  • Further research is needed on the efficacy and safety of various medications in pediatric populations.

Keywords:
InsomniaInsomnieJugendlicheKinderMelatoninPsychopharmakotherapieadolescentschildrenmelatoninepsychopharmacotherapy

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