Melatonin treatment in an institutionalised child with psychomotor retardation and an irregular sleep-wake pattern.
An institutionalised 13 year old girl with psychomotor retardation suffered from an irregular sleep-wake pattern. Multiple measurements of urinary sulphatoxy-melatonin (aMT6) concentrations were abnormally low, without any significant day-night differences. Administration of exogenous melatonin (3 mg) at 18:00 resulted in increased nocturnal urinary aMT6 concentrations and improvements in her sleep-wake pattern. Melatonin may help disabled children suffering from sleep disorders.
Pediatrics Department A, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
G
G
Pillar
A
A
Etzioni
E
E
Shahar
P
P
Lavie
D000293:Adolescent; D000299:Adolescent, Institutionalized; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000652:urine
C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin