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Sleep-onset insomnia, which is relatively common in school-age children, can negatively affect mood and school functioning. The hormone melatonin improves sleep onset, sleep time, and sleep-wake rhythm problems in sleep-disordered children and might even improve behavior (Sleep Med 2011; 12:875). However, light therapy has a theoretical safety advantage, because melatonin, which potentially affects organ systems, has not yet been studied rigorously for long-term safety in children. The current researchers randomized 84 children with chronic sleep-onset insomnia (mean age, 10 years) to melatonin (3 mg, to be taken at 7 p.m.), pill placebo, or light therapy (30 minutes in the morning). All children had evidence of late melatonin onset.
Accordi…