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Melatonin use in children and adolescents: A scoping review of caregiver perspectives.

Sleep medicine reviews
August 1, 2023
Samantha K M Lee et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleScoping ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to analyze caregivers' perceptions and understanding of melatonin use in pediatric populations, focusing on illness/medication-related beliefs, treatment experience, and preferences.

Results Summary

Melatonin was commonly perceived as "natural" and "safe" by caregivers, who preferred combining it with behavioral interventions. Improved sleep in children generally enhanced caregivers' quality of life.

Population

Children and adolescents (aged 0-44 years, mean 8.7 ± 2.3 years) with sleep disturbances, often alongside congenital/neurodevelopmental comorbidities.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
no change
naturalness and safety
caregivers of children and adolescents
-
commonly associated with
#1
melatonin
no change
behavioral interventions for management of sleep
caregivers of children and adolescents
-
preferred concurrent use of
#2
melatonin
increase
better quality-of-life for caregivers and their family
caregivers of children and adolescents
-
led to
#3
Abstract

Despite melatonin's popularity as a pediatric sleep-aid, little has been investigated around caregivers' understanding and perception of melatonin use for their dependent. This scoping review analyzes the current literature on pediatric melatonin use, to understand how caregivers' perceptions around melatonin are shaped by their illness/medication-related beliefs, treatment experience and preferences. A literature search was conducted across Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus, generating 184 results for screening against the inclusion criteria. Nineteen studies were retrieved, comprising of 1561 children and adolescents, aged 8.7 ± 2.3 years (range: 0-44 years), conducted primarily in the United States of America (n = 6), Canada (n = 3) and the Netherlands (n = 3). Studies were evaluated for their study design and caregiver-centered outcomes, encompassing: 1) illness/treatment-related beliefs, 2) treatment satisfaction/effectiveness, 3) treatment preference/acceptability, and 4) impact of child's sleep disturbance on caregivers' quality-of-life. Sleep disturbances necessitating melatonin use occurred alongside congenital/neurodevelopmental comorbidities in 18 studies (95%). Melatonin was commonly associated with "naturalness" and "safety". Concepts of treatment satisfaction versus effectiveness were minimally differentiated within included studies. Caregivers preferred concurrent use of melatonin and behavioral interventions for management of their dependents' sleep. Improved sleep in the dependent generally led to better quality-of-life for caregivers and their family.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ChildHumansAdolescentMelatoninCaregiversQuality of LifeSleepComorbiditySleep Wake Disorders
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year3.5
Relative Citation Ratio2.41
NIH Percentile79.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.54
Normalized Score0.76
Related Supplements
Melatonin use in children and adolescents: A scoping review ... | Panacea Index