Study of the efficacy of melatonin for auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing in children
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral melatonin to induce sedation (natural sleep) while measuring auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in children with suspected hearing loss by calculating the ABR success rate with the use of melatonin, the percentage of children in whom sleep was induced by melatonin and the time required to perform complete ABR testing.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine children aged 1 to 6 years were included in this prospective study. ABR testing was performed as a day-case procedure in a single room ensuring suitable sleeping conditions. Five milligrams of melatonin (or 10mg in children over the age of 6 years) were administered orally before electrode positioning. An additional 5 milligrams were administered if the child failed to sleep after 30minutes.
RESULTS: ABR was performed with melatonin in 58 ears: complete ABR testing was performed in both ears in 19 children (65%), corresponding to 38 examinations; only one ear was tested in 7 children (24.2%), corresponding to 7 examinations; and ABR testing could not be performed in 3 children (10.3% failure rate). Good quality sleep was obtained in 17 children (59%), brief sleep was obtained in 4 children (14%), who nevertheless remained calm throughout the examination and 8 children (27%) did not fall asleep. The mean sleep-onset time after administration of melatonin was 41minutes with a mean sleep time of 33minutes and a mean examination time of 52minutes after the first dose of melatonin. A…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 19 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut-Brain Homeostasis
- Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI: A Review
- Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit
- Relationship between sleep disorders and gut dysbiosis: what affects what?
- The role of CLOCK gene in psychiatric disorders: Evidence from human and animal research
- Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.