"While melatonin may help you doze off and get a good night's rest, you may want to think twice before giving the supplement to your child or teen. Increased melatonin overdoses and trips to the emergency room for children have prompted the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to issue a health advisory encouraging parents to consult with a health care professional before giving melatonin or any supplement to children."
"Symptoms of a melatonin overdose can include headache, dizziness, and irritability, according to the AASM. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual number of melatonin ingestions in children that were reported to poison control centers increased by 530% between 2012 and 2021, with a total of 260,435 ingestions reported. Melatonin was also the most frequently ingested substance among children in 2020."
Melatonin is a natural sleep hormone made in the brain that regulates sleep timing. Supplemental melatonin is sometimes used to improve sleep, but excessive doses can cause overdose symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and irritability. Reported melatonin ingestions in children increased 530% between 2012 and 2021, totaling 260,435, and melatonin was the most frequently ingested substance among children in 2020. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises parents to consult a health care professional before giving melatonin or any supplement to children. Because melatonin is regulated as a dietary supplement, content can vary widely, with the greatest variability observed in chewable tablets. Parents should prioritize consistent bedtimes, bedtime routines, and limited screen time rather than routine melatonin use.
Read at Fortune Well
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