Take our Depression Test

Find a sleep therapist near me

Melatonin is used frequently to treat childhood insomnia.

Melatonin is often considered safe by caregivers, but should be given under medical supervision.

A major pediatric sleep professional organization has published guidelines for healthcare providers.

The International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) includes members from multiple professional disciplines concerned with all aspects of sleep in children from birth through adolescence. In April, I attended their biennial meeting in Florence, Italy, to meet with colleagues and learn about the latest research and clinical practice in typically developing children and those with sleep disorders.

One presentation reported results of a 25-year study completed at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital of children diagnosed with chronic insomnia who had been treated with melatonin. Of 629 children in the study, 76.2 percent showed improvement in symptoms, with those with co-morbid neurological conditions less likely to show improvement, and those who had sleep disordered breathing or sleep movement disorders in addition to insomnia........

© Psychology Today