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Prolonged-release melatonin for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Pediatric neurology
July 1, 2011
Hélène De Leersnyder et al. (3 authors)
Clinical TrialJournal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin) in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Results Summary

The study found that prolonged-release melatonin significantly improved sleep latency (44% decrease), sleep duration (10.1% increase), reduced awakenings (75% decrease), and enhanced sleep quality (75% improvement) compared to baseline. No serious adverse events or treatment-related comorbidities were reported.

Population

88 children (42 girls, 46 boys) with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Effective Dosage

4-6 mg

Duration

6-72 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
prolonged-release melatonin
neutral
-
children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders
-
demonstrated the efficacy and safety
#1
prolonged-release melatonin treatment
neutral
long-term effectiveness and safety
88 children (42 girls and 46 boys) with neurodevelopmental disorders
-
were assessed
#2
prolonged-release melatonin
decrease
sleep latency
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
44.0%
decreased
#3
prolonged-release melatonin
increase
sleep duration
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
10.1%
increased
#4
prolonged-release melatonin
decrease
number of awakenings
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
75%
decreased
#5
prolonged-release melatonin
increase
sleep quality
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
75%
improved
#6
prolonged-release melatonin
no change
adverse events
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
no significant change
No serious adverse events or treatment-related comorbidities were reported
#7
prolonged-release melatonin
neutral
sleep disorders
children with neurodevelopmental disorders
-
remains a safe, effective therapy
#8
Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of prolonged-release melatonin in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders. The long-term effectiveness and safety of prolonged-release melatonin treatment were assessed in 88 children (42 girls and 46 boys) with neurodevelopmental disorders. These patients participated in a compassionate-use program with the drug Circadin (2 mg; Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel) in France, and received treatment in the context of regular care by a specialized physician. The study involved a structured questionnaire for the parents, comprising a combination of multiple-choice and numeric questions addressing sleep onset/offset, sleep quality problems, and mood. The dose of melatonin ranged from 4-6 mg, and treatment duration ranged from 6-72 months. Within 3 months, sleep latency with prolonged-release melatonin decreased by 44.0% (P < 0.001), sleep duration increased by 10.1% (P < 0.001), the number of awakenings decreased by 75% (P < 0.001), and sleep quality improved by 75%, compared with baseline (P < 0.001). No serious adverse events or treatment-related comorbidities were reported. Prolonged-release melatonin remains a safe, effective therapy for the long-term treatment of sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAntioxidantsChildChild, PreschoolDevelopmental DisabilitiesDrug Delivery SystemsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMelatoninMental DisordersSleep Wake DisordersTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations49
Citations/Year3.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.84
NIH Percentile72%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.37
Normalized Score0.85
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