Factors influencing the effect of melatonin on sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study looked at how well melatonin helps autistic children sleep better. Researchers found that melatonin significantly improves sleep quality and increases total sleep time. The best dose appears to be around 5.7mg, and it works better for children 10 years and older. Side effects were mild and rare. The research supports using melatonin as a personalized treatment for sleep problems in autistic children.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of melatonin for sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analysis found that melatonin significantly improves sleep quality (Hedges' g = 0.75) and total sleep time (Hedges' g = 0.58) in autistic children. The research identified optimal dosing around 5.7mg and suggested greater effectiveness in children aged 10 years and older (Hedges' g = 0.09). The study analyzed various treatment parameters including dosage, medication type, treatment duration, and participant age.

Adverse reactions were reported as minimal and mild. The findings support individualized treatment approaches for melatonin use in this population.

Melatonin represents an effective, well-tolerated intervention for sleep disturbances in autistic children. Clinicians should consider individualized dosing around 5.7mg and may expect enhanced benefits in children 10 years and older. The minimal adverse effects profile supports its clinical use as a first-line sleep intervention.

Sample size for the meta-analysis was not reported. The abstract does not specify the number of included studies, search strategy details, or heterogeneity between studies. Information about study quality assessment and potential publication bias is not provided.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. The prevalence of ASD has risen globally. Sleep disturbances exacerbates the core symptoms of children with ASD, and numerous studies demonstrated that melatonin is efficacious in treating autism-related insomnia in children. This study intended to comprehensively analyze the therapeutic effects of melatonin on sleep disturbances in children with autism, focusing on effect sizes across different treatment parameters, including medication dosage, type, treatment course, and the age of the children.

Additionally, the analysis examines the effects of melatonin on various sleep indicators. Through systematic review and meta-analyses, data from existing studies were collected and categorizing them based on medication parameters and the age of the participants. The influence of melatonin on multiple sleep indicators was evaluated, revealing that melatonin significantly improves sleep quality and total sleep time in children with autism. The Hedges' g values for these two indicators were 0.75 and 0.58, with both P-values less than 0.05.

The overall effect of melatonin displayed a parabolic relationship with dosage, achieving its optimal effectiveness at approximately 5.7 mg. Subject age also influenced the therapeutic effect with optimal results observed in children aged 10 years and older, where the Hedges' g effect size reached 0.09. Melatonin shows substantial effectiveness in improving the sleep in children with ASD, with minimal and mild adverse reactions. These findings support the development of individualized treatment approaches for melatonin administration in this population.