Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Sleep, Growth, and Puberty After 2 Years of Prolonged-Release Melatonin in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
February 1, 2021
Beth A Malow et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (20)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAged, 80 and overAutism Spectrum DisorderChildDouble-Blind MethodHumansMelatoninPubertyQuality of LifeSleepTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy90/10
Quality88/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations63
Citations/Year15.8
Relative Citation Ratio6.27
NIH Percentile95.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.99
Normalized Score0.88
Related Supplements