title: Use of sleep medication in children with ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sleep problems are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet little is known about sleep medication use in this population. The aim of this study was to describe sleep medication use, as well as associated child and family characteristics in school-aged children with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sleep medication use was ascertained using a prospective parent-completed seven-night sleep and medication log. Exposure variables included socio-demographic characteristics, total sleep problem severity (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire), ADHD severity and subtype (ADHD Rating Scale IV), ADHD medication use, internalising and externalising co-morbidities (Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children/Parent version IV) and parent mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and fifty-seven children with ADHD participated and of these 57 (22%) were taking sleep medication (melatonin 14% and clonidine 9%). Sleep medication use was associated with combined-type ADHD and ADHD medication use. The presence of co-occurring internalising and externalising co-morbidities was also associated with sleep medication use in ad hoc analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sleep medication use is common in children with ADHD and is associated with combined-type ADHD and use of ADHD medication. Further research is needed on the broad functional benefits and long-term safety of sleep medication in this population.
authors.affiliation: Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: daryl.efron@rch.org.au.
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Efron
authors.affiliation: Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lycett
authors.affiliation: Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sciberras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008550:Melatonin; D003000:Clonidine
keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Child; Medication therapy management; Melatonin; Sleep; Sleep initiation and maintenance disorders