European expert guidance on management of sleep onset insomnia and melatonin use in typically developing children
- PMID: 38625388
- PMCID: PMC11192690
- DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05556-w
European expert guidance on management of sleep onset insomnia and melatonin use in typically developing children
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.
Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Insomnia; Melatonin; Pediatricians.
© 2024. The Author(s).
Conflict of interest statement
All authors have received speaker and consultant honoraria from Procter & Gamble. Dr. Maria Breda received honorarium for medical writing service including consultant honorarium.
Figures
References
-
- Glaze DG, Rosen CL, Owens JA. Toward a practical definition of pediatric insomnia. Curr Ther Res. 2002;63:B4–B17. doi: 10.1016/S0011-393X(02)80100-X. - DOI
-
- Corkum P, Weiss S, Hall W, Brown C, Chambers C, Constantin E, Godbout R, Hanlon-Dearman A, Ipsiroglu O, Reid GJ, Shea S, Smith IM, Stremler R, Witmans M. Assessment and treatment of pediatric behavioral sleep disorders in Canada. Sleep Med. 2019;56:29–37. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.11.007. - DOI - PubMed
-
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine . International classification of sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and coding manual. 3. Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2014.
-
- Breda M, Belli A, Esposito D, Di Pilla A, Melegari MG, DelRosso L, Malorgio E, Doria M, Ferri R, Bruni O. Sleep habits and sleep disorders in Italian children and adolescents: a cross-sectional survey. J Clin Sleep Med JCSM Off Publ Am Acad Sleep Med. 2023 doi: 10.5664/jcsm.10400. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Miscellaneous
