Document Details

Document Type : Article In Journal 
Document Title :
Melatonin for the Treatment of Handicapped Children with Severe Sleep Disorder.
علاج الميلاتونين لمشاكل النوم لدى الأطفال .
 
Document Language : English 
Abstract : Sleep disorders are common in children with mental retardation and neurological disorders. Melatonin is a recently developed natural compound that has been used successfully in sleep disorders. Our objective is to report our experience with melatonin for the treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorder in handicapped children. An open trial of melatonin in a group of handicapped children with severe sleep disorder was conducted prospectively. The circadian rhythm sleep disorder was persistent for at least 6 months and failed to respond to at least 1 hypnotic drug. Therapeutic response was recorded according to: 1) The average number of hours asleep per 24 hours, 2) The average number of awakening per night, 3) The average number of nights with delayed sleep onset, and 4) The average number of nights with early morning arousals. Ten consecutive children (4 males and 6 females) with ages ranging between 1-11 years (mean 5.4) were included. Nine children had documented mental retardation, which was severe in 6 (67%). The majority of children had epilepsy and visual impairment (70%). All children were followed for 4-12 months (mean 7.5) following the initiation of a 3 mg bedtime melatonin. The majority (80%) had a dramatic response to melatonin. One child had a history of persistent nocturnal enuresis, which completely resolved after initiating melatonin therapy. No side effects were reported. To conclude, melatonin is a well tolerated, safe, and very effective drug for the treatment of severe circadian rhythm sleep disorder in handicapped children. It has minimal side effects and is relatively inexpensive. Wider use of this drug is recommended. 
ISSN : 0940-5429 
Journal Name : Pediatric Neurology 
Volume : 3 
Issue Number : 23 
Publishing Year : 2000 AH
2000 AD 
Article Type : Article 
Added Date : Saturday, March 13, 2010 

Researchers

Researcher Name (Arabic)Researcher Name (English)Researcher TypeDr GradeEmail
محمد جانjan, Mohammed ResearcherDoctorate 

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 25938.doc doc 

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