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European expert guidance on management of sleep onset insomnia and melatonin use in typically developing children.

European journal of pediatrics
July 1, 2024
Oliviero Bruni et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticlePractice GuidelineReviewHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to develop practical recommendations for pediatricians on managing sleep onset insomnia in healthy children, including the role of low-dose melatonin.

Results Summary

The study found that low-dose melatonin, administered 30-60 minutes before bedtime, can be helpful for children over 2 years old with sleep onset insomnia when sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions are insufficient. Pediatricians should monitor efficacy and adverse effects.

Population

Typically developing, otherwise healthy children over 2 years old with sleep onset insomnia.

Effective Dosage

Low-dose melatonin, administered 30-60 minutes before bedtime (specific dose not specified).

Duration

Not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
cognitive-behavioral therapy
decrease
sleeping problems
children and adolescents
-
has shown effectiveness
#1
low-dose melatonin
decrease
sleep onset insomnia
children over 2 years old
-
might be helpful
#2
low-dose melatonin
decrease
sleep onset insomnia
healthy children who have not improved or have responded insufficiently to sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions
-
is a useful strategy for managing
#3
Abstract

Sleeping problems are prevalent among children and adolescents, often leading to frequent consultations with pediatricians. While cognitive-behavioral therapy has shown effectiveness, especially in the short term, there is a lack of globally endorsed guidelines for the use of pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter remedies in managing sleep onset insomnia. An expert panel of pediatric sleep specialists and chronobiologists met in October 2023 to develop practical recommendations for pediatricians on the management of sleep onset insomnia in typically developing children. When sleep onset insomnia is present in otherwise healthy children, the management should follow a stepwise approach. Practical sleep hygiene indications and adaptive bedtime routine, followed by behavioral therapies, must be the first step. When these measures are not effective, low-dose melatonin, administered 30-60 min before bedtime, might be helpful in children over 2 years old. Melatonin use should be monitored by pediatricians to evaluate the efficacy as well as the presence of adverse effects.    Conclusion: Low-dose melatonin is a useful strategy for managing sleep onset insomnia in healthy children who have not improved or have responded insufficiently to sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMelatoninSleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersChildAdolescentCentral Nervous System DepressantsChild, PreschoolEuropeSleep Hygiene
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy80/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year7.0
Relative Citation Ratio3.48
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.71
Normalized Score0.76
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