Efficacy and Safety of Pediatric Prolonged-Release Melatonin for Insomnia in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Gringras, Paul et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Volume 56 , Issue 11 , 948 – 957.e4
This placebo-controlled trial of prolonged release melatonin (2mg escalated to 5mg PedPRM) for insomnia in 125 children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed that the medication was efficacious (sleep latency reducing by about half an hour on average), acceptable (taken even by children who do not usually like tablets) and safe with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 3.38. The study adds to the currently limited evidence base regarding the use of such medication.