Calculating dim light melatonin onset in children: A comparison of four estimation methods.

Data from 49 children indicates that the 3 pg/ml, 4 pg/ml, and hockey stick methods provide reliable estimates of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO).

• Intraclass correlations among the four DLMO estimation methods were all significant, with p-values less than 0.001.
• The strongest agreement in DLMO estimates was found between the 3 pg/ml, 4 pg/ml, and hockey stick methods.
• DLMO values from all methods were positively correlated with sleep timing, also with p-values less than 0.001.
• The 2 SD method showed more discrepancy from the other methods but provided a plausible DLMO estimate for one high melatonin secretor.

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