Reports of melatonin overdoses among children have risen dramatically since 2012 as the sleep aid has grown in popularity, especially among parents of children with ADHD and related sleep problems.
The annual number of pediatricingestions reported to national poison control centers jumped by 530% between 2012 and 2021 – from 8,337 to 52,563. This number included reports of kids taking too much melatonin, which may be considered an overdose.
Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, is widely available as an over-the-counter sleep aid and comes in various formulations. Because it is a dietary supplement, melatonin is not subject to strict regulatory oversight. A lack of manufacturing regulations and varied dosing recommendations may place children at risk for adverse outcomes, according to the study’s authors, who also cited research on quality control issues in OTC melatonin products.
The majority of pediatric melatonin ingestions – about 94% – were unintentional. Most children were also asymptomatic after ingestion. Those who did display symptoms complained of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and or central nervous system problems. Most children also reported “minor effects” post-ingestion, defined by the study’s authors as minimally bothersome symptoms that resolved without intervention.
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