Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

3.0K

Pharmacological management of pediatric insomnia

Sakshi Dhir1, Nicolette Karim1, Haley Berka1

  • 1Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States.

Frontiers in Sleep
|December 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric insomnia is common and impacts development, with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as a first-line treatment. This review evaluates medications for pediatric insomnia, grading their evidence, side effects, and risks versus benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder in children and adolescents, affecting development and often persisting into adulthood.
  • Its prevalence is exacerbated by factors like developmental disabilities, psychiatric comorbidities, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Healthcare providers frequently manage pediatric insomnia, though FDA-approved medications are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and grade all published medication studies for pediatric insomnia.
  • To provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians treating insomnia in pediatric populations.
  • To assess the risk-benefit profiles of pharmacological treatments for pediatric insomnia.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive narrative review of published medication studies in pediatric insomnia.
  • Categorization of identified studies based on evidence strength, side effect profiles, and comorbidities.
  • Grading of pharmacological treatments by evaluating overall risk versus benefit.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the primary evidence-based treatment.
  • No medications are FDA-approved for pediatric insomnia, yet they are commonly used.
  • Medication studies were graded based on efficacy, safety, and risk-benefit analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Practitioners require guidance on managing pediatric insomnia, especially when considering pharmacological options.
  • This review aids clinical decision-making by evaluating the evidence and risks of various insomnia medications in children and adolescents.
  • Informed choices regarding medication use in pediatric insomnia are crucial for patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Keywords:
alternative medicine for pediatric insomniamedications for pediatric insomniapediatric insomniapediatric sleepuse of cannabis for insomnia

More Related Videos

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia04:34

Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia

Published on: February 17, 2023

1.6K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.1K

Related Concept Videos

Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

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...
499
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

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...
477
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
194
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

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...
1.3K
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

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...
380
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
174