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Researchers postulate that young children's eyes might transmit more light to retinal photoreceptors compared with older children and adults, thereby making them more susceptible to light- and dark-induced effects on melatonin secretion.
To quantify the magnitude of evening light–induced melatonin suppression in young children, researchers conducted a highly controlled 7-day protocol in 10 preschoolers (aged 3–5 years). On days 1 through 5, children followed a strict sleep–wake schedule, which was verified through an actigraph and daily diary. On the afternoon of day 6, children were exposed to 3 hours of dim light conditions (~15 lux; windows were covered and low-wattage bulbs used), and saliva melatonin levels were collected. On day 7, dim…