[Melatonin treatment of sleep disorders in disabled children].
BACKGROUND
There is a high prevalence of chronic sleep-wake cycle disorders in developmentally and neurologically disabled children. Such disorders are often resistant to hypnotic and psychotropic drugs. Administration of exogenous melatonin can have an effect upon the circadian rhythm and establish a normal sleep-wake cycle.


METHODS
Medline, Premedline and EBM Reviews were searched for articles on melatonin treatment of sleep-wake cycle disorders in children. Additionally, sleep was registered systematically in 15 developmentally or neurologically disabled children treated with melatonin.


CONCLUSIONS
The search identified 75 articles of which 33 included neurologically or developmentally disabled children. Reported results generally indicate that melatonin improves sleep-wake cycle disorders in these children. However, the majority of studies were open, and knowledge about side effects and long-term effects is limited. Our own experience is in accordance with the literature; melatonin had positive effects in 13 children. Suggestions for practical use of melatonin in disabled children are presented.
Ramstad
Kjersti
K
Seksjon for habilitering Barneavdelingen Akershus universitetssykehus Postboks 42 1474 Nordbyhagen. kjersti_ramstad@hotmail.com
Loge
Jon Håvard
JH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D008550:Melatonin