Nearly one in five children under 14 in the United States now take melatonin to aid sleep, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. The research, which surveyed parents of 993 children aged one to 14, found that melatonin use is becoming 'exceedingly common', with about 18% of children aged five to nine using the supplement.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain that regulates the sleep cycle. In the US, it is classified as a dietary supplement and can be bought without a prescription, unlike in many other countries where it is considered a drug. The study found that parents are using melatonin regularly, with pre-schoolers taking it for a median of 12 months, primary school children for 18 months, and pre-teens for 21 months.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) issued a health advisory last year urging parents to consult a doctor before giving melatonin to children. The AASM notes that sleep problems can often be better managed with changes in schedules, habits, or behaviours rather than taking melatonin. If used, a medical professional should recommend the dose and timing.
Poison control centres in the US reported a 530% spike in melatonin ingestion cases among children between 2012 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most cases were accidental and over 84% of children had no symptoms, 1% required intensive care. Previous research also suggests that the actual dose of melatonin in supplements often differs from the amount stated on the label, ranging from less than half to more than four times the labelled amount.
Mild side effects such as daytime sleepiness, headache, nausea, and dizziness can occur, but little is known about the long-term effects of melatonin consumption in children. The AASM advises parents to treat melatonin like any medication and keep it out of reach of children.
