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Hypothermia Associated With Melatonin Ingestion in a Child With Autism

Semih Erden1

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.

Clinical Neuropharmacology
|July 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin may pose a hypothermia risk in autistic children with sleep disorders. This case study highlights a significant body temperature drop after a single melatonin dose, emphasizing caution.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior.
  • Sleep disturbances are common in children diagnosed with ASD.

Observation:

  • A case of hypothermia (body temperature 34°C) occurred in an autistic child after a single melatonin dose.
  • The child experienced prolonged hypothermia for two days.

Findings:

  • Melatonin administration led to a significant decrease in body temperature in an autistic child.
  • Despite the hypothermia, the child's nighttime sleep problems improved.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential risk of hypothermia associated with melatonin use in children with autism and sleep disorders.
  • Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing melatonin to this population.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the safety profile of melatonin in pediatric ASD.

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