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document
Randomized controlled trial of melatonin for children with autistic spectrum disorders and sleep problems . BACKGROUND Melatonin is often used for autistic children with sleep disorders , despite a lack of published evidence in this population . METHODS A randomized , placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial of melatonin was undertaken in 11 children with autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD ) . RESULTS Seven children completed the trial . Sleep latency was 2.6 h [ 95 % confidence intervals ( CI ) 2.28-2.93 ] baseline , 1.91 h ( 95 % CI 1.78-2.03 ) with placebo and 1.06 h ( 95 % CI 0.98-1.13 ) with melatonin . Wakings per night were 0.35 ( 95 % CI 0.18-0.53 ) baseline , 0.26 ( 95 % CI 0.20-0.34 ) with placebo and 0.08 ( 95 % CI 0.04-0.12 ) with melatonin . Total sleep duration was 8.05 h ( 95 % CI 7.65-8.44 ) baseline , 8.75 h ( 95 % CI 8.56-8.98 ) with placebo and 9.84 h ( 95 % CI 9.68-9.99 ) with melatonin . CONCLUSIONS Although the study was small owing to recruitment difficulties , it still provides evidence of effectiveness of melatonin in children with sleep difficulties and ASD , which we predict a larger study would confirm .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
melatonin
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Intervention_Control
placebo-controlled
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Intervention_Pharmacological
melatonin
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Outcome_Physical
Sleep latency
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Outcome_Physical
Wakings per night
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Outcome_Physical
Total sleep duration
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Outcome_Other
effectiveness
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
autistic spectrum disorders
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Participant_Condition
sleep problems
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Participant_Condition
autistic
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
sleep disorders
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Participant_Sample-size
11
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
autistic spectrum disorder ( ASD )
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Participant_Sample-size
Seven
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
sleep difficulties
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Participant_Condition
ASD