Are Melatonin Supplements Safe for Kids? Experts Weigh In
With daylight saving time quickly approaching, many parents are worried about their kids losing an hour of sleep as clocks “spring forward.” But are melatonin supplements a safe option to help them sleep? According to a study, 18.5% of children aged 5 to 9 sometimes take melatonin for sleep, and 19% of adolescents as well. However, experts have weighed in on the safety and potential risks of using melatonin supplements in children.
Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, explains that melatonin is a hormone, and whenever hormones are involved, caution is necessary, especially in pre-pubescent children. There are indications that melatonin could trigger early puberty, so it’s important to be mindful of this potential side effect.
Another concern with melatonin supplements is that they are not regulated by the FDA in the same way as drugs. This means that they do not go through the same rigorous testing and clinical trials required for FDA-approved drugs. As a result, there is limited data on the safety and effectiveness of melatonin. While there is more research available on melatonin use for children with ADHD and autism, where sleep disorders are common, it is still recommended to prioritize sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions before considering melatonin supplementation.
Dr. Gounder advises caution when it comes to using melatonin in children. She suggests being particularly careful with children who have not yet gone through puberty and using melatonin supplements only on an occasional basis for teenagers. It’s important to prioritize other strategies for improving sleep before turning to melatonin.
One concerning trend is the rise in accidental ingestion of melatonin by children, particularly in the form of gummies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has observed an increase in emergency department visits due to unsupervised medication ingestions, with melatonin being implicated in approximately 11,000 visits among infants and young children. The gummy form of melatonin can easily be mistaken for candy, leading to accidental ingestion. While most cases do not result in hospitalization, dangerous side effects such as excessive drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures can occur.
To prevent accidental ingestion, it is crucial to keep all medications and supplements, including gummies, out of children’s reach and sight. Dr. Heidi Cohen, the emergency room director at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, emphasizes the potential for abuse when medications are in the form of candy or gummies. Children may be attracted to the taste and appearance without realizing the potential risks.
Instead of relying on melatonin supplements, experts recommend focusing on natural ways to support healthy sleep patterns. Melatonin is naturally released by the body to regulate the sleep cycle or circadian rhythm. Dr. Gounder suggests turning off lights and devices as the day progresses to support the body’s natural release of melatonin. Screens emitting bright lights can disrupt the sleep cycle, so it’s important to create a dark and quiet environment for sleep. Removing electronics, including phones and TVs, at least 30 minutes before bedtime can also help improve sleep quality.
If a child continues to struggle with sleep issues, it is advisable to consult a doctor to identify the underlying cause. Addressing the root cause of sleep problems is essential for long-term solutions rather than relying solely on melatonin supplements.
In conclusion, while melatonin supplements may provide short-term benefits for sleep, caution should be exercised when considering their use in children. Hormonal effects and limited data on safety and effectiveness highlight the need for careful consideration and exploration of alternative strategies for improving sleep quality in children.
