Melatonin

In this edition, Leqembi shows benefits in early Alzheimer’s, sex before bed has more positive impact on sleep, clearer guidelines needed on melatonin use in children and more.

INDIANAPOLIS — In a session on melatonin use in children, Judith Owens, MD, MPH, aimed to pique discussion among attendees about the challenges of talking with parents and families about the supplement’s use in this patient population.

A recent study found that melatonin may reduce the risk for self-harm in youth, but experts recommend conducting comprehensive sleep assessments before initiation.

Patients with androgenetic alopecia demonstrated improvements in hair follicle growth and density after treatment with topical melatonin, according to a study.

LAS VEGAS — Although melatonin use led to an initial decreased sleep quality after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, sleep quality improved by 26 weeks postoperatively, according to results presented here.

Although melatonin is not recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as an insomnia treatment, about 70% of primary care physicians believe it is, a survey from The Alliance For Sleep found.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released an advisory encouraging parents to talk to health care professionals before giving their children melatonin or other sleep aid supplements.

Pediatric melatonin consumption in the United States has risen more than fivefold since 2012, with related hospitalization increasing as well, according to data published Thursday in MMWR.

The reported prevalence of melatonin use significantly increased among adults in the United States during a recent 20-year period, survey data show.

Melatonin may be a safe sleep aid for people with metabolic diseases and for healthy adults, and data suggest a beneficial glucose effect, according to findings published in Clinical Endocrinology.