[Pharmacotherapy of sleep disorders in children and adolescents].
Sleep disorders in children and adolescents are predominantely influenced by age-related changes in normal sleep and parent-child interactional factors. Moreover, as in adults underlying medical or psychiatric conditions may play an important pathogenetic role. Therefore the management of the sleep problems necessitates a highly differenciated diagnostic effort prior to any concrete treatment step. In general consultation of the parents may be a sufficient measure. However in severe and chronified courses behavior therapy combined with pharmacotherapy can be successful. Only few studies on efficacy and side effects on sleep-inducing pharmacologic agents exist. The most prescribed substances are antihistamines, neuroleptics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines. On the other hand their use is limited because of side effects, tolerance and impaired vigilance functions. Recently studies on melatonin suggest that this substance might become an effective and well tolerable treatment alternative. This article discusses problems and indications of pharmacotherapy in children's sleep disorders and highlights the importance of its integration in a differenciated treatment concept.
Frölich
Jan
J
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters der Universität zu Köln.
Gerd
Lehmkuhl
L
Fricke
Leonie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives