Approximately 18 percent of children ages five to nine reportedly use it as a sleep aid. Melatonin, available without a prescription in the US, has been linked to a significant spike in reports to poison control centers in the past decade.
Despite most cases being accidental and symptomless, around 1 percent of reported incidents resulted in children being admitted to intensive care. While mild side effects can occur, the long-term effects of Melatonin usage in children and adolescents remain unknown.
Experts advise parents to treat Melatonin like any medication, keeping it out of children’s reach and consulting a pediatric health worker prior to use. They also stress that sleep problems are often better managed with changes in schedules, habits, or behaviors, rather than relying on melatonin.
