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Related Concept Videos

Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

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The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
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Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

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Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

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Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
203
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

82
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
82
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

75
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
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Melatonin use in the pediatric population: an evolving global concern.

Judith Owens1

  • 1Boston Children's Hospital, 9 Hope Avenue, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA. Judith.owens@childrens.harvard.edu.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|April 30, 2025
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Melatonin use in children is increasing, but evidence for its efficacy and safety, especially in typically developing youth, is limited. Caution and medical supervision are advised due to product variability and potential risks.

Keywords:
InsomniaMelatoninPediatric sleep

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Sleep medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • Limited research exists on melatonin's impact in pediatric populations.
  • Pediatric melatonin use has risen significantly worldwide over recent decades.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current literature on melatonin efficacy and safety in children.
  • To guide pediatric practitioners in making evidence-based recommendations for melatonin use.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review was performed using PubMed.
  • Search terms included melatonin, pediatrics, and child/adolescent.

Main Results:

  • Studies, mainly in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and insomnia, suggest melatonin is generally safe.
  • Evidence for typically developing children is lacking; long-term adverse event data and product content variability are concerns.
  • Accidental ingestions pose safety risks.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin use in children requires caution due to concerns about inappropriate use, efficacy, safety data gaps, and product variability.
  • Medical supervision is recommended for pediatric melatonin use.