Andersen Ivy M, Kaczmarska JoAnna, McGrew Susan G, Malow Beth A
Sleep Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2551, USA.
J Child Neurol. 2008 May;23(5):482-5. doi: 10.1177/0883073807309783. Epub 2008 Jan 8.
We describe our experience in using melatonin to treat insomnia, a common sleep concern, in children with autism spectrum disorders. One hundred seven children (2-18 years of age) with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders who received melatonin were identified by reviewing the electronic medical records of a single pediatrician. All parents were counseled on sleep hygiene techniques. Clinical response to melatonin, based on parental report, was categorized as (1) sleep no longer a concern, (2) improved sleep but continued parental concerns, (3) sleep continues to be a major concern, and (4) worsened sleep. The melatonin dose varied from 0.75 to 6 mg. After initiation of melatonin, parents of 27 children (25%) no longer reported sleep concerns at follow-up visits. Parents of 64 children (60%) reported improved sleep, although continued to have concerns regarding sleep. Parents of 14 children (13%) continued to report sleep problems as a major concern, with only 1 child having worse sleep after starting melatonin (1%), and 1 child having undetermined response (1%). Only 3 children had mild side-effects after starting melatonin, which included morning sleepiness and increased enuresis. There was no reported increase in seizures after starting melatonin in children with pre-existing epilepsy and no new-onset seizures. The majority of children were taking psychotropic medications. Melatonin appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorders. Controlled trials to determine efficacy appear warranted.
我们描述了使用褪黑素治疗自闭症谱系障碍儿童失眠(一种常见的睡眠问题)的经验。通过查阅一位儿科医生的电子病历,确定了107名确诊为自闭症谱系障碍且接受褪黑素治疗的儿童(年龄在2至18岁之间)。所有家长均接受了睡眠卫生技巧方面的指导。根据家长报告,褪黑素的临床反应分为以下几类:(1)睡眠不再是问题;(2)睡眠有所改善但家长仍有担忧;(3)睡眠仍是主要问题;(4)睡眠恶化。褪黑素剂量从0.75毫克至6毫克不等。开始使用褪黑素后,27名儿童(25%)的家长在随访时不再报告睡眠问题。64名儿童(60%)的家长报告睡眠有所改善,尽管仍对睡眠存在担忧。14名儿童(13%)的家长继续报告睡眠问题是主要担忧,只有1名儿童在开始使用褪黑素后睡眠变差(1%),1名儿童反应未明(1%)。只有3名儿童在开始使用褪黑素后出现轻微副作用,包括晨起嗜睡和遗尿增多。在患有既往癫痫的儿童中,开始使用褪黑素后未报告癫痫发作增加,也没有新发癫痫发作。大多数儿童正在服用精神药物。褪黑素似乎是治疗自闭症谱系障碍儿童失眠的一种安全且耐受性良好的疗法。开展对照试验以确定其疗效似乎很有必要。