Rebecca Kronk on Medication for Sleep Issues

Rebecca Kronk, PhD, CRNP, MSN, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University, discusses medication for sleep issues in pediatric cancer patients.

Melatonin is a helpful sleep aid for pediatric patients, Kronk says, if behavioral interventions are not effective. Ideally, a child should have a good pattern of being awake and being asleep and sometimes a supplement is needed. Melatonin helps a child to fall asleep, though does not always help them to stay asleep.

Once a physiological and psychological pattern is in place, melatonin use can be discontinued.