Use of sleep medication in children with ADHD

Daryl Efron; Kate Lycett; Emma Sciberras

doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2013.10.018

Use of sleep medication in children with ADHD

Sleep Med. 2014 Apr;15(4):472-5. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.10.018. Epub 2014 Feb 7.

Authors

Daryl Efron¹, Kate Lycett², Emma Sciberras³

Affiliations

¹ Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: daryl.efron@rch.org.au.
² Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
³ Community Child Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

PMID: 24684977
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.10.018

Abstract

Objective: Sleep problems are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet little is known about sleep medication use in this population. The aim of this study was to describe sleep medication use, as well as associated child and family characteristics in school-aged children with ADHD.

Method: Sleep medication use was ascertained using a prospective parent-completed seven-night sleep and medication log. Exposure variables included socio-demographic characteristics, total sleep problem severity (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire), ADHD severity and subtype (ADHD Rating Scale IV), ADHD medication use, internalising and externalising co-morbidities (Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children/Parent version IV) and parent mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale).

Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven children with ADHD participated and of these 57 (22%) were taking sleep medication (melatonin 14% and clonidine 9%). Sleep medication use was associated with combined-type ADHD and ADHD medication use. The presence of co-occurring internalising and externalising co-morbidities was also associated with sleep medication use in ad hoc analyses.

Conclusion: Sleep medication use is common in children with ADHD and is associated with combined-type ADHD and use of ADHD medication. Further research is needed on the broad functional benefits and long-term safety of sleep medication in this population.

Keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Child; Medication therapy management; Melatonin; Sleep; Sleep initiation and maintenance disorders.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy
Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / drug therapy
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
Behavior Therapy
Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
Child
Child, Preschool
Clonidine / therapeutic use
Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Conduct Disorder / drug therapy
Conduct Disorder / epidemiology
Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data
Female
Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use*
Internal-External Control
Male
Melatonin / therapeutic use
Mood Disorders / drug therapy
Mood Disorders / epidemiology
Prospective Studies
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / epidemiology
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Victoria

Substances

Central Nervous System Stimulants
Histamine Antagonists
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Benzodiazepines
Melatonin
Clonidine