A new study reveals that parents in the US are regularly giving melatonin supplements to children as young as preschoolers, despite the lack of evidence supporting its safety or effectiveness. According to the research, nearly one in five school-aged children and pre-teens use melatonin to help them fall asleep, a significant increase from the reported usage five years ago. While the researchers do not claim that melatonin is necessarily harmful to children, they emphasize the need for more extensive research to confidently establish its long-term safety. This article examines the concerning rise in melatonin use among children and the potential risks associated with its usage.
Recent data collected by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals a significant increase in the use of melatonin supplements among children. The survey interviewed parents of 993 children aged 1 to 13 years about their kids’ melatonin usage over the past month. The results demonstrate a drastic difference compared to the data collected in previous years, which included individuals up to the age of 19. Among the children aged 1 to 4, 5.6 percent had taken melatonin within the past month. The usage rate rose to 18.5 percent in the age group of 5 to 9, and for children aged 10 to 13, a striking 19.4 percent were using the sleep aid. Furthermore, these children were often taking melatonin for an extended period, exceeding 12 months. This increase in usage at such a young age for prolonged durations raises concerns about potential long-term consequences.
In the United States, melatonin is considered a dietary supplement by the FDA, allowing it to be sold without a prescription and with minimal regulation. In contrast, in many parts of the world, melatonin is classified as a controlled substance that requires a prescription. This difference in regulation raises questions about the accessibility and potential misuse of melatonin. Since it is readily available without medical supervision, parents can easily administer it to their children without fully understanding the safety and proper usage of the supplement.
While melatonin is a hormone naturally secreted by the pineal gland to regulate our sleep-wake cycles, its use as a supplement raises concerns about potential risks, particularly in children. The available evidence suggests that melatonin can be used safely for a short duration of one to three months and in specific doses. However, the long-term effects remain largely unknown. An alarming rise in pediatric cases of melatonin ingestion reported to poison control centers between 2012 and 2021 further highlights the potential risks of improper usage, especially for young children. Additionally, a recent study identified misreported melatonin content in several melatonin gummies, with one product containing more than three times the stated dose. This lack of accuracy in dosing and inconsistency in product quality further compounds the risks involved.
While melatonin may have benefits for certain populations, such as individuals with autism who struggle with sleep disruptions, its effectiveness, optimal dosage, and long-term safety have not been adequately established for other populations, especially children. The authors of the study argue that the high rates of melatonin use among children may be indicative of underlying sleep issues that require proper diagnosis and treatment. Addressing the symptom of poor sleep with melatonin does not necessarily address the root cause of the sleep disruption. It is crucial for parents and healthcare professionals to consider alternative options and seek proper medical guidance to identify and address the underlying causes of sleep issues in children.
The increasing use of melatonin supplements among children in the US raises concerns about the lack of evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness, as well as the potential risks associated with its usage. While melatonin may offer benefits for certain individuals with sleep disorders and disruptions, caution should be exercised when administering it to children, especially at a young age and for prolonged periods. Parents and healthcare professionals need to be aware of the limited research surrounding melatonin’s long-term effects and the importance of properly diagnosing and addressing the underlying causes of sleep issues in children. Further research and regulation are necessary to provide clearer guidelines on the usage of melatonin in the pediatric population.
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