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For children with eczema, sleep disturbance is common and can adversely affect quality of life. Melatonin, a known sedative, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. To assess its efficacy in reducing eczema severity (and, secondarily, sleep disturbance), investigators in Taiwan randomized 48 children (age range, 1–18 years) with eczema involving at least 5% of their body surface area and documented sleep difficulties to receive 3 mg of melatonin or placebo at bedtime for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week wash-out period and then 4 weeks of the other treatment. Each child continued their usual topical regimen.
In a modified intention-to-treat analysis adjusted for age and sex, the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index for severity of eczem…