OBJECTIVETo study serum levels of melatonin in children with epilepsy or febrile seizures in order to provide a basis for the treatment of epilepsy or febrile seizures with melatonin.

METHODSSerum melatonin levels were measured using ELISA in 15 children with simple febrile seizure (SFS), in 15 children with complex febrile seizure (CFS), in 15 children with epilepsy, and in 15 children with upper respiratory infections (control group).

RESULTSSerum melatonin levels in children with epilepsy (8.66+/-1.38 ng/L) or CFS (14.91+/-2.61 ng/L) were significant lower than those in the control group (23.93+/-2.01 ng/L) (P<0.01). The SFS group showed lower serum melatonin levels (20.72+/-2.54 ng/L) compared with the control group, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups. Serum melatonin levels in the epilepsy group were significantly lower than those in the CFS (P<0.05) and the SFS groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum melatonin levels decreased in children with epilepsy or CFS. Supplement of exogenous melatonin might be a promising treatment for epilepsy and febrile seizures in children.