As a growing number of American parents are giving their kids melatonin to help them fall asleep, some experts are warning of potential risks.
Nearly half (46%) of parents in the U.S. have given melatonin to a child under the age of 13, and almost one-third (30%) of parents have given the supplement to a teen over the age of 13 to help him or her fall asleep, according to a recent survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Providing melatonin to children might seem like a natural solution — but a 2022 AASM health advisory warns against using it for children because melatonin is not regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The rise in melatonin use has also led to a spike in reports of melatonin overdose, calls to poison control centers and emergency room visits among children, the AASM has stated.
Dr. Anne Marie Morse, a pediatric neurologist in Danville, Pennsylvania, was not surprised to hear about the high prevalence of melatonin use among kids.
As a growing number of American parents are giving their kids melatonin to help them fall asleep, some experts are warning of potential risks.
“We’ve seen that in pediatrics, it is much more likely for there to be a prescription to help a child sleep as opposed to adults,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“So, it doesn’t surprise me that even before a prescription is given, a parent is asking, ‘What can I do myself? What can I get my hands on to be able to help my child sleep?’”
“Because when your child’s not sleeping, the whole house isn’t sleeping and it can be extraordinarily disruptive,” she added.
Overall, Morse sees melatonin as relatively safe. But she emphasized the need to talk with a doctor before doling it out.
Nearly half (46%) of parents in the U.S. have given melatonin to a child under the age of 13, and almost one-third (30%) of parents have given the supplement to a teen over the age of 13.
“If you’re going to give your child any supplements, you should really have a conversation with your physician first, to make sure it’s the right solution for the problem you’re experiencing,” she said. “The doctor can also discuss dosing and how long to utilize it.”
As a sleep physician who sees kids and adults, Morse said she “commonly” utilizes melatonin, especially for teenagers who have a delayed sleep phase, meaning that their circadian rhythm has shifted much later than what it should be.
