Levels of Melatonin in Continuous Spikes and Waves During Sleep

Levels of melatonin have been reported before in children with epilepsy, but such has not been reported to date in those with continuous spikes and waves during sleep. The aim of the present study was to assess serum melatonin levels and melatonin circadian rhythm in patients with continuous spikes and waves during sleep and epilepsy. Serum melatonin was measured in 39 children stratified into 3 groups. Group 1 included 15 patients with continuous spikes and waves during sleep, group 2 included 12 epilepsy patients, and group 3 included 12 controls, respectively. Blood samples were taken from all participants at 1:00 am and 9:00 am and melatonin levels were measured using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. The 9:00 am melatonin levels of group 1 were significantly decreased and pair groups were compared. The P_a value (representing a comparison between groups 1 and 2) was .002, the P_b value (representing a comparison between groups 1 and 3) was .001, and the P_c value (representing a comparison between groups 2 and 3) was .86. These findings suggest that the 9:00 am melatonin levels were significantly decreased in the comparison of groups 2 and 3. Further detailed research is necessary to determine the factors leading to the rapid decline of morning melatonin levels of children with continuous spikes and waves during sleep.