Melatonin use in children and adolescents: A scoping review of caregiver perspectives.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.