Pharmacotherapy for children and adolescents with sleep disorders: an overview

Sleep difficulties are a relevant symptom in childhood and adolescence with a prevalence of approximately 20%. Because of the reduced psychosocial functioning and the burden of suffering associated with insomnia, effective treatment strategies are needed. If interventions such as the implementation of an adequate sleep hygiene and other non-drug treatment approaches are not sufficient, pharmacotherapeutic treatment is often considered. The present work provides a literature overview on the use of different substance classes in hypnotic indications. The use of melatonin in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder has been well studied and is associated with a positive effect on sleep in this patient group. To date, there is little evidence regarding the efficacy and tolerability of other medication in primary insomnia or sleep disorders in the context of other psychiatric disorders in minors. For this reason, non-drug treatment strategies are preferred and pharmacotherapy is only to be considered secondarily after critical examination.