Pharmacologic treatment of pediatric insomnia.
Pediatric insomnia is common in children and adolescents, particularly in children who have comorbid medical, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders, and may be associated with cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial impairments that often result in significant caregiver burden. Although several behavioral interventions for pediatric insomnia are effective, there is a relative paucity of empiric evidence supporting the use of pharmacologic treatment. Sedative/hypnotic drugs are frequently used in clinical practice to treat pediatric insomnia, and guidelines for the use of these medications in general as well as for specific medications have been developed. This review presents expert consensus guidelines for the use of these medications in clinical practice, with a focus on the different classes of pharmacologic agents that are most commonly prescribed.
Owens
Judith A
JA
Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Ambulatory Pediatrics Potter 200, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. owensleep@gmail.com
Moturi
Sricharan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010348:Patient Care Team; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D028321:Plant Preparations; D008550:Melatonin