20.500.12556/RUL-183265 Melatonin vs. dexmedetomidine for sleep induction in children before electroencephalography Background and objectives: In children requiring electroencephalography (EEG), sleep recording can provide crucial information. As EEG recordings during spontaneous sleep are not always possible, pharmacological sleepinducing agents are sometimes required. The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of melatonin (Mel) and dexmedetomidine (Dex; intranasal and sublingual application) for sleep induction prior to EEG. Methods: In this prospective randomized study, 156 consecutive patients aged 1–19 years were enrolled and randomized by draw into melatonin group (Mel; n = 54; dose: 0.1 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (Dex) sublingual group (DexL; n = 51; dose: 3 mcg/kg) or dexmedetomidine intranasal group (DexN; n = 51; dose: 3 mcg/kg). We compared the groups in several parameters regarding efficacy and safety and also carried out a separate analysis for a subgroup of patients with complex behavioral problems. Results: Sleep was achieved in 93.6% of participants after the first application of the drug and in 99.4% after the application of another if needed. Mel was effective as the first drug in 83.3% and Dex in 99.0% (p < 0.001); in the subgroup of patients with complex developmental problems Mel was effective in 73.4% and Dex in 100% (p < 0.001). The patients fell asleep faster after intranasal application of Dex than after sublingual application (p = 0.006). None of the patients had respiratory depression, bradycardia, desaturation, or hypotension. Conclusions: Mel and Dex are both safe for sleep induction prior to EEG recording in children. Dex is more effective compared to Mel in inducing sleep, also in the subgroup of children with complex behavioral problems. melatonin dexmedetomidine electroencephalography EEG sleep sleep induction true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Članek v reviji 2026-06-10 06:32:32 2026-06-10 10:42:12 2026-07-23 10:53:15 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2024 0 0 7 str. art. 1362918 Vol. 12 2024 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 616-053.2 2296-2360 10.3389/fped.2024.1362918 195713539 RAZ_Peganc_Katja_2024.pdf RAZ_Peganc_Katja_2024.pdf 1 B6D04D414DF4B5C085FA04AD1F3F2050 2e86b55f19113083197e045448592087372634147b3c0b9710798af520681450 78b8b539-64a8-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=235260 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1362918/full 0 60142cfa-64a9-11f1-9b0d-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=235261 Medicinska fakulteta 0 0 0