[P3-10] Efficacy of Ramelteon for treatment of sleep disorders in young children with Autism spectrum disorder
[Introduction]With a prevalence of 50 to 80%, sleep problems are very common among children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD and sleep problems have more severe symptoms like hyperactivity, aggression, and tantrum. Sleep problems in young children have been associated with distress and sleep problems of the guardians. Recently, Ramelteon, which is a melatonin receptor agonist, was used for treating insomnia in Japan. A few studies have reported the effectiveness of Ramelteon in treating school-children with ASD. However, there have been no studies for young children with ASD.
[Objective]This study investigated the efficacy of Ramelteon for the treatment of sleep disorders in young children with ASD.
[Methodology]A total of 9 (8 males) children with ASD and sleep disorder were included in this study. The first Ramelteon dose was 2 mg that was subsequently increased to 4 mg in the case of no effects. The Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I) was used to evaluate the efficacy of Ramelteon.
[Results] Ramelteon was found to be effective in 6 patients (66.7%). Of them, three patients (33.3%) were ‘very much improved,’ two patients (22.2%) were ‘much improved,’ and one patient was ‘minimally improved.’ The remaining two patients (22.2%) had side effects: somnolence (2) and night terrors (1).
[Conclusions].Ramelteon is effective in treating sleep disorders in young children with ASD.
[Objective]This study investigated the efficacy of Ramelteon for the treatment of sleep disorders in young children with ASD.
[Methodology]A total of 9 (8 males) children with ASD and sleep disorder were included in this study. The first Ramelteon dose was 2 mg that was subsequently increased to 4 mg in the case of no effects. The Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I) was used to evaluate the efficacy of Ramelteon.
[Results] Ramelteon was found to be effective in 6 patients (66.7%). Of them, three patients (33.3%) were ‘very much improved,’ two patients (22.2%) were ‘much improved,’ and one patient was ‘minimally improved.’ The remaining two patients (22.2%) had side effects: somnolence (2) and night terrors (1).
[Conclusions].Ramelteon is effective in treating sleep disorders in young children with ASD.