Melatonin and sleep in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and sleep disorders

Sleep disorders impair the quality of life for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Melatonin, a natural regulator of sleep, may be an effective therapy in this area. Numerous studies in children report that melatonin may be beneficial for sleep. Studies differ widely from each other with respect to the dosage and time of administration. The effectiveness of melatonin depends on a number of factors, including dose, the individual sensitivity of the patient and the time of administration. Few acute adverse effects have been reported. Long-term adverse effects have not been systematically studied. Well-designed, randomised, controlled studies with long-term follow-up in children are needed.