Description:
<jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical use of sleep aids, specifically melatonin for sleep disorders in children and adolescents in treated at various facilities in Uppsala County, Sweden</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method</jats:title><jats:p>A cross sectional study was conducted using a short 9 question web‐based survey. The survey contained questions about sleep medications in general and some specific questions about melatonin/Circadin®. The questionnaire was then sent to doctors in various clinics in Uppsala County, Sweden.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Preliminary results shows that the majority of the doctors prescribe some sort of sleep aid, where Circadin® was the most commonly prescribed sleep aid; with melatonin as a close second (Melatonin not an OTC‐drug in Sweden). Sleep aid was prescribed to children of all ages; and most often in conjunction to various neuropsychiatric disorders. The average dose was 2‐3 mg melatonin /Circadin® per day, with some prescribing up to 6 or 9 mg per day.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>These preliminary results indicate that the doctors prescribe Circadin® to a larger degree. This despite that Circadin®'s current indication is for people >55 years old. Moreover, high doses of melatonin are prescribed, most probably leading to next‐day drowsiness and sub‐optimal functioning of the children. Doctors need to be informed about proper choice of drug and dose for the pediatric patient</jats:p></jats:sec>