Many American parents are giving their children melatonin gummies and tablets to help them sleep better. Despite warnings from experts against using this popular sleep aid for kids without a prescription, about one in five children in the US are taking it. Recent research from the University of Colorado shows a significant increase in the number of kids using melatonin compared to just a few years ago.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine cautioned against giving this supplement to children under 13 years old. Melatonin isn't fully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there are concerns that some brands might have much higher doses than advertised, posing potential dangers to kids.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2012 to 2021, there was a staggering 530% rise in kids using melatonin, with 94% of cases being accidental. Because melatonin often comes in gummy form, children might mistake it for candy, raising safety concerns.
Lead researcher Lauren Hartstein emphasized the need for more awareness among parents and doctors, noting that while melatonin might not necessarily harm children, more research is required to ensure its long-term safety. In the United Kingdom, melatonin is a prescription drug, but its use among American kids has surged in recent years.
Experts have observed a sudden increase in parents giving melatonin to their otherwise healthy children, indicating a lack of understanding about the supplement's effects. In 2017, only 1.3% of parents reported giving melatonin to their kids, but recent studies show nearly 20% of children aged 5 to 13 have taken it, including 6% of preschoolers aged 1 to 4.
To address safety concerns, the FDA is exploring ways to make melatonin supplements less appealing as snacks. Pediatric sleep specialist Julie Boergers highlighted the importance of caution when giving any medication or supplement to young bodies. While melatonin can help in the short term, she stressed that it's rarely the first treatment option. Boergers also noted that some parents have reported their children developing a tolerance to melatonin over time, needing higher doses for it to remain effective.
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