Current role of melatonin in pediatric neurology. clinical recommendations

Background/purpose: Melatonin, an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland, plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythm. It has chronobiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. Methods: A conference in Rome in 2014 aimed to establish consensus on the roles of melatonin in children and on treatment guidelines. Results and Conclusion: The best evidence for efficacy is in sleep onset insomnia and delayed sleep phase syndrome. It is most effective when administered 3e5 h before physiological dim light melatonin onset. There is no evidence that extended-release melatonin confer