Effects of melatonin use in children with sleep disorders: a systematic review
Abstract
Background: Sleep is a functional state that involves important neurological processes. It is known that prolonged sleep deprivation can result in serious physical and behavioral impairments, as well as metabolic and immunological changes. In children, the repercussion of sleep disturbances can be characterized by reduced performance and learning. When the biological causes are related to endocrine problems, such as abnormal production of the melatonin hormone, the use of exogenous melatonin becomes an option for treating sleep disorders. Objective: To analyse the effect of exogenous melatonin use in children as a form of treatment for sleep disorders. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by selecting studies from the BVS-PubMed database published between 2019 and 2024. A total of 238 studies were found, of which 42 were selected for analysis. Articles in English and/or Portuguese that addressed the effects of pharmacological use of melatonin in children with sleep disorders were used. The descriptors used were "Sleep" AND "Melatonin" AND "Children" AND "Sleep disorders". Articles that did not fit the inclusion criteria, such as animal studies, narrative reviews, and those unrelated to the review topic, were excluded. Results: The use of melatonin was indicated as a treatment method in different groups of children, such as those with neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual disabilities, learning and motor disorders, communication disorders, and attention deficit…
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