Sleep, Growth, and Puberty After 2 Years of Prolonged-Release Melatonin in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of pediatric prolonged-release melatonin (PedPRM) for treating insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder, focusing on sleep, growth, and pubertal development.
Results Summary
PedPRM maintained improvements in sleep disturbance, caregiver satisfaction, and quality of life over 104 weeks, with no significant safety concerns or detrimental effects on growth or puberty. Adverse events were mild and infrequent.
Population
Children and adolescents (2-17.5 years old) with autism spectrum disorder (96%) and insomnia.
Effective Dosage
2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg nightly
Duration
104 weeks (2 years)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pediatric prolonged-release melatonin (PedPRM) | decrease | insomnia | children with autism spectrum disorder | - | demonstrated efficacy and safety | #1 |
PedPRM treatment | decrease | child sleep disturbance | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | p < .001 versus baseline | maintained improvements | #2 |
PedPRM treatment | increase | caregiver satisfaction with child sleep patterns | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | p < .001 versus baseline | maintained improvements | #3 |
PedPRM treatment | increase | quality of sleep | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | p < .001 versus baseline | maintained improvements | #4 |
PedPRM treatment | increase | quality of life | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | p < .001 versus baseline | maintained improvements | #5 |
PedPRM withdrawal | decrease | sleep and quality measures | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | measures declined | #6 |
PedPRM | no change | safety profile | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | was generally safe | #7 |
PedPRM | increase | fatigue | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | 6.3% | caused treatment-related adverse events | #8 |
PedPRM | increase | somnolence | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | 6.3% | caused treatment-related adverse events | #9 |
PedPRM | increase | mood swings | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | 4.2% | caused treatment-related adverse events | #10 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | mean weight | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | changes were within normal ranges | #11 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | height | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | changes were within normal ranges | #12 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | body mass index | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | changes were within normal ranges | #13 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | pubertal status (Tanner staging) | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | changes were within normal ranges | #14 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | body mass index | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | no evidence of delay | #15 |
PedPRM treatment | no change | pubertal development | children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) | - | no evidence of delay | #16 |
Nightly PedPRM at optimal dose (2, 5, or 10 mg nightly) | neutral | long-term treatment | children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and insomnia | - | is safe and effective | #17 |
PedPRM | no change | children's growth | children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and insomnia | - | no observed detrimental effects | #18 |
PedPRM | no change | pubertal development | children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and insomnia | - | no observed detrimental effects | #19 |
PedPRM | no change | use or discontinuation of the drug | children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and insomnia | - | no withdrawal or safety issues | #20 |
OBJECTIVE: A recent 3-month double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated efficacy and safety of pediatric prolonged-release melatonin (PedPRM) for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder. This study examined the long-term effects of PedPRM treatment on sleep, growth, body mass index, and pubertal development. METHOD: Eighty children and adolescents (2-17.5 years of age; 96% with autism spectrum disorder) who completed the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were given 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg PedPRM nightly up to 104 weeks, followed by a 2-week placebo period to assess withdrawal effects. RESULTS: Improvements in child sleep disturbance and caregiver satisfaction with child sleep patterns, quality of sleep, and quality of life were maintained throughout the 104-week treatment period (p < .001 versus baseline for all). During the 2-week withdrawal placebo period, measures declined compared with the treatment period but were still improved compared with baseline. PedPRM was generally safe; the most frequent treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (6.3%), somnolence (6.3%), and mood swings (4.2%). Changes in mean weight, height, body mass index, and pubertal status (Tanner staging done by a physician) were within normal ranges for age with no evidence of delay in body mass index or pubertal development. CONCLUSION: Nightly PedPRM at optimal dose (2, 5, or 10 mg nightly) is safe and effective for long-term treatment in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and insomnia. There were no observed detrimental effects on children's growth and pubertal development and no withdrawal or safety issues related to the use or discontinuation of the drug. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Efficacy and Safety of Circadin in the Treatment of Sleep Disturbances in Children With Neurodevelopment Disabilities; https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT01906866.