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Melatonin Appears Effective for Dyssomnia in Children With Autism WESTCHESTER, Ill -- April 15, 2009 -- A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows melatonin can shorted the length of time it takes for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), or both to fall asleep at the beginning of the night. Results of the study indicated that children who received over-the-counter melatonin treatments experienced significant improvements in total night sleep durations, sleep latency times, and sleep-onset times. Mean sleep duration was longer on melatonin than placebo by 21 minutes, sleep-onset latency was shorter by 28 minutes and sleep-onset time was earlier by 42 minutes. According to the senior author Beth L. Goodlin-Jones, PhD, M.I.N.D Institute, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, treatment with over-the-counter melatonin supplements benefits children of all ages, which helps alleviate some of the additional stress that parents of special-needs children experience. "Sleep onset problems at the beginning of the night are very troublesome for children and their families," she said. "Sometimes children may take 1 to 2 hours to fall asleep and often they disrupt the household during this time." The study included information from 12 children aged 2 to 15 years. Sleep quality and quantity were measured both objectively and subjectively. Of the participants, 5 met diagnostic criteria for autism, 3 for FXS, 3 for FXS and ASD, and 1 for FXS alone. Participants were given 2 weeks' supply of either melatonin or a placebo. After they completed the 2 week dosage they were then crossed over to the alternate treatment for an additional 2 weeks. All participants were assessed for autism and received DNA testing for the diagnosis of FXS. The authors recommend that in addition to the use of melatonin supplements, behaviour therapies and sleep hygiene practices should be used to manage sleep problems in children with autism and FXS. SOURCE: American Academy of Sleep Medicine E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version