Kids and melatonin: What to know
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Nearly one in four parents say they've given melatonin to their children to help them sleep, according to a new American Academy of Sleep Medicine survey.
Why it matters: Melatonin use for children has grown in popularity, but there's still limited research on its effectiveness and long-term safety.
Driving the news: Sleep medicine doctors and pediatricians "get a lot of phone calls about one or two weeks after school starts," because families shifting from summer schedules to early mornings are noticing that their kids are having trouble getting to bed or waking up on time, sleep medicine physician Shalini Paruthi tells Axios.
When it comes to melatonin, "we don't have a lot of good evidence that it's beneficial to all kids," she says.
- Yes, but: There are some studies that show giving melatonin to children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder could help with sleep.
What we're hearing: If a child is experiencing insomnia and practicing good sleep hygiene isn't helping, don't immediately turn to melatonin, Paruthi says.
- Instead, talk to a pediatrician or family physician, and confirm melatonin will not react with other medications a child is on, or worsen any known health conditions.
- Look for underlying medical issues that could interrupt sleep. High on the list, Paruthi says: Restless Leg Syndrome, which could be treated with an iron supplement.
If you determine that medication could help with sleep, stick with the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time necessary — and reevaluate whether the medication is needed every few weeks, Paruthi says.
- Of note: Kids' accidental ingestion of melatonin has become more of a problem in recent years.
Bottom line: Approach melatonin use carefully with kids — and only with medical guidance.
