Arthritis is a common complaint among adults, but children are also vulnerable to certain kinds of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA, is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects children. JRA is caused by an overactive immune system and results in fatigue, pain and joint damage. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that normally regulates your sleep cycle, but new research shows that melatonin may affect the immune system in a surprising way.
About JRA
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is more than just a childhood disease. It is a chronic condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, resulting in systemic inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, JRA is the most common type of arthritis in children. Although JRA sometimes begins as a milder form of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can progress quickly to joint deformities, contractures and damage to connective tissues. Severe cases of JRA can damage internal organs. There is no cure for JRA, so physicians focus on disease control and damage prevention through prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, immune-suppressant medicines and biological medications.
About Melatonin
Melatonin is an important hormone produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain. This essential hormone is responsible for the internal clock that regulates your sleep cycle. Melatonin levels decrease when it is dark to make you feel sleepy and increase during the day to make you feel more awake. Because of this function, melatonin supplements are sometimes used to restore a normal sleep cycle in people who have jet lag, insomnia or work night shifts. Melatonin is also essential for the production of female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. In the United States, melatonin is sold over-the-counter as a natural supplement, but it is not FDA-approved for the treatment of any specific condition.
Immunity Studies
A study published in the May 2007 issue of the "Pakistan Journal of Biological Studies" investigated the connection between high melatonin levels in children with JRA and disease activity. Of the 21 JRA patients evaluated, children with higher melatonin levels showed higher inflammatory markers and immune system activity, often in connection with more severe arthritis symptoms. A later study published in the October 2007 issue of the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" compared the nightly administration of melatonin supplements to RA disease activity. Results showed a significant increase in inflammation and autoimmune activity for melatonin recipients compared to placebo recipients.
Precautions
Natural supplements like melatonin can cause adverse reactions and drug interactions, especially in children. Common side effects include upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness and increased depression. MedlinePlus cautions against use of melatonin for most children because it may interfere with other hormones involved in adolescent development. Melatonin can increase blood sugar levels and may be dangerous for children with juvenile diabetes. Melatonin may also interfere with immune-suppressant therapy commonly used to treat JRA. Talk to your child's pediatrician before trying any new supplement for your child's condition.
References
- Arthritis Foundation: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- MedlinePlus; Melatonin; December 2010
- "Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences"; Serum Melatonin in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis--Correlation with Disease Activity; H.M. El-Awady, et al.; May 2007
- "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; Inflammatory Status and Kynurenine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Melatonin; Caroline M. Forrest, et al.; October 2007
