Melatonin usage in children and young adults, a registry-based cohort study

• Published in: European journal of paediatric neurology 2022-07, Vol.39, p.30-34
• Main Authors: Tedroff, K., von Euler, M., Dahlén, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Children and adolescents; Drug utilization; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Melatonin; Sleep disorder
• ISSN: 1090-3798; 1532-2130; 1532-2130
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2022.05.007

Sleep disorder is common in children and adolescents, particularly in those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While non-pharmacological treatment is first line, occasionally an add-on of an oral drug is needed. The endogenous hormone melatonin is increasingly used for sleep disorders in children and adolescents. In this registry-based cohort study we follow dispensation of melatonin in young individuals, 0–25 years of age, in Stockholm, Sweden during 2016–2019. In all 9980 individuals, were dispensed melatonin in 2016 and followed for 3 years. Child psychiatrist was the most common prescribing specialty, 55% of all prescriptions. Only 20% had a recorded diagnosis of sleep disorder. The majority, 65% had a neuro psychiatric diagnose. Half of the individuals had at least 4 prescribed drugs dispensed during the follow-up. Almost half of our cohort were dispensed melatonin during the entire study period and doses and volumes of drug dispensed increased by 50 and 100%, respectively. Continuous medication was most common among children 6–12 years, where 7 out of 10 individuals were still adherent after three years. As long-term safety data is lacking, we find this concerning, and this illustrates the need of long-term follow-up of melatonin use in children and young individuals. •Child psychiatrist was the most common prescribing specialty of melatonin.•Only one out of five had a recorded diagnosis of sleep disorder.•Half of the cohort had at least four prescribed drugs dispensed.•Half of the cohort were adherent to melatonin during the study period of three years.