Normalization of the sleep-wake pattern and melatonin and 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin levels after a therapeutic trial with melatonin in children with severe epilepsy.
This study evaluated the sleep-wake pattern, plasma melatonin levels and the urinary excretion of its metabolite, 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin among children with severe epileptic disorders, before and after a therapeutic trial with melatonin. Ten paediatric patients, suffering from severe epileptic disorders, were selected and given a nightly dose of 3 mg of a placebo, for 1 wk; for the next 3 months, the placebo was replaced with a nightly dose of 3 mg of melatonin. At the end of each treatment period, the urinary excretion of 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin (for the intervals 09.00 - 21:00 hr or 21:00-09:00 hr) and plasma levels of melatonin (recorded at 01:00, 05:00, 09:00, 13:00, 17:00 and 21:00 hr) were recorded, over a period of 24 hr; an actigraph record was also kept. Sleep efficiency among patients who received melatonin was significantly higher than among those given the placebo, with fewer night-time awakenings. Periodic plasma melatonin levels were regained and a better control gained of convulsive episodes, in that the number of seizures decreased. We conclude that melatonin is a good regulator of the sleep-wake cycle for paediatric patients suffering from severe epilepsy, moreover, it to a better control of convulsive episodes.
UGC Pediatría, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain. uberosfernandez@terra.es
J
J
Uberos
M C
MC
Augustin-Morales
A
A
Molina Carballo
J
J
Florido
E
E
Narbona
A
A
Muñoz-Hoyos
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D010919:Placebos; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin