title: Melatonin replacement corrects sleep disturbances in a child with pineal tumor.
abstract: A child with a germ cell tumor involving the pineal region had marked suppression of melatonin secretion associated with severe insomnia. Exogenous melatonin (3 mg in the evening) for 2 weeks restored sleep continuity, as demonstrated by objective monitoring of rest-activity cycles. This case report provides direct evidence of the essential role of melatonin in normal sleep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Etzioni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luboshitzky
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tiosano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ben-Harush
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldsher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lavie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin