Melatonin
Task Force
The Melatonin Task Force reviews literature on the role of melatonin in improving sleep in children and makes evidence-based recommendations for the sleep community.Â
Members:Â Sarah Blunden (Australia), Carlos Bolanos (Colombia), Oliviero Bruni (Italy), Samuele Cortese (United Kingdom), Osman Ipsiroglu (Canada), Lindsay Jesteadt (USA; coordinator), Suresh Kotagal (USA; Chair), Beth Malow (USA), Indra Narang (Canada), Magda L. Nunes (Brazil), Lina Marcela Tavera Saldana (Colombia), Narong Simakajornboon (USA), Barbara Gnidovec Strazisar (Slovenia), and Guanghai Wang (China)
What You Should Know About Melatonin for Sleep Problems in Children: A Guide for Caregivers
The Melatonin Task Force has created a simple guide for caregivers and parents regarding the use of melatonin.
Free translations are also available in the links below — more to come!
Arabic |  Chinese (Simplified) |  Chinese (Traditional) | Dutch-Flemish |  French | German |  Italian |  Persian |  Portuguese (Brazil) |  Portuguese (Portugal) | Spanish | Thai |  TurkishÂ
Melatonin use in managing insomnia in children with autism and other neurogenetic disorders - An assessment by the International Pediatric Sleep Association
Though it is widely prescribed for improving sleep of children with autism and other neurogenetic disorders, there is a need for practical guidance to clinicians on the use of melatonin for managing insomnia in this population. Because data were either lacking or inconclusive, a task force was established by the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) to examine the literature based on clinical trials from 2012 onwards. A summary of evidence pertaining to melatonin’s utility and potential side effects, practice-related caveats, and insights for use are published herewith.
Melatonin use in typically developing (TD) children: International Pediatric Sleep Association Expert Consensus Recommendations for Healthcare Providers
Although melatonin is widely used globally for the management of insomnia in children and adolescents, there are few clinical guidelines available for healthcare practitioners, particularly in typically developing (TD) children. Because existing data are either sparse or inconclusive, a task force comprised of pediatric sleep researchers and clinicians was established by the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) to first examine the available literature and to then develop a set of evidence-based (when possible) and consensus-based recommendations to guide practitioners in decision-making regarding melatonin use in pediatric insomnia. The following recommendations regarding appropriate indications for melatonin in children, considerations regarding timing and dosage, safety issues and caveats in recommending use of melatonin in pediatric clinical settings, are presented as a companion to a Technical Report summarizing the available literature.