Disturbi del sonno nei bambini con dermatite atopica, ruolo del ritmo circadiano e della melatonina

I disturbi del sonno sono comuni nei bambini con dermatite atopica. Studi recenti hanno suggerito possibili implicazini terapeutiche tramite l'assuzione di melatonina utile grazie ai suoi effetti sul sonno, immunomodulazione e capacità antiossidante.

Abstract in inglese - PMID 27043528 e link a fonte orinale PubMed

Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Mar 29;17(4). pii: E462.
Mechanism of Sleep Disturbance in Children with Atopic Dermatitis and the Role of the Circadian Rhythm and Melatonin.
Chang YS1,2,3, Chiang BL4,5.

1. Department of Pediatrics, Taipei City Hospital Renai Branch, Taipei 106, Taiwan. yschang1018@gmail.com.
2. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan. yschang1018@gmail.com.
3. School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan. yschang1018@gmail.com.
4. Fraduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan. gicmbor@ntu.edu.tw.
5. Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan. gicmbor@ntu.edu.tw.

Sleep disturbance is common in children with atopic dermatitis (AD). It is a major factor leading to impaired quality of life in these patients and could have negative effects on neurocognitive function and behavior. However, the pathophysiology of sleep disturbance in children with AD is poorly understood, and there is no consensus on how to manage sleep problems in these patients. Pruritus and scratching could lead to sleep disruption but is unlikely the sole etiology. The circadian rhythm of cytokines, the immune system, and skin physiology such as transcutaneous water loss and skin blood flow might also play a role. Recent studies have suggested that melatonin could also be involved due to its multiple effects on sleep, immunomodulation, and anti-oxidant ability. Environmental factors should also be considered. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathophysiology of sleep disturbance in children with AD, and discuss possible therapeutic implications.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27043528?dopt=Abstract