Patient-level analysis of the cost and variation in melatonin prescribing patterns in those under 18 in the North East of England
Elizabeth Miriam McLellan, Iram J Haq, Anne-Marie Ebdon, Nicola Vasey, Kirstie N Anderson · 2024
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Description
Elizabeth McLellan and four colleagues audited melatonin prescribing for children in the North East of England, in a 2024 paper. Melatonin helps many children sleep, yet the best dose and timing remain unclear and products vary widely. The team reviewed national and regional data plus one year of prescriptions at a large children's hospital.
The audit covered 220 patients under eighteen who received the drug for poor sleep. Local guidance asks for behavior-based help first, fixed timing, licensed products, and follow-up review. No standard was fully met. Only nine percent had tried a behavioral approach first, and other sleep disorders were rarely considered. Off-license liquid forms drove much of the cost. The findings led to a hospital-wide sleep education program. The authors also call for better access to behavioral sleep help.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Elizabeth Miriam McLellan, Iram J Haq, Anne-Marie Ebdon, Nicola Vasey, Kirstie N Anderson |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2024 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 26 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |