Nearly 20 Percent of School-Aged Kids Take Hormonal Sleep Aid: Experts Concerned Over Lack of Research
A new study has found that nearly 20 percent of children are taking powerful melatonin sleep supplements, raising concerns about the long-term effects.
The “alarming” study, conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, analyzed data from 993 children aged one to 13 years old and found that melatonin consumption significantly increased with age. According to the study, 19.4 percent of 10- to 13-year-olds had taken melatonin in the past 30 days, and 18.5 percent of children aged five to nine had also taken the sleep aid.
Dr. Lauren Hartstein, the lead author of the study and a fellow in the Sleep and Development Lab at CU Boulder, expressed concern over the lack of research into the long-term effects of melatonin use in children. While melatonin is not necessarily considered harmful to children, Dr. Hartstein emphasized that much more research needs to be done before the safety of long-term use can be determined.
Melatonin, a hormone produced naturally in the body that helps regulate the body’s internal clock, is available over the counter in the US as a dietary supplement, and its sales have doubled in recent years. However, in many countries, it is classified as a drug and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
The researchers also highlighted the potential risks associated with melatonin supplements, including the fact that the actual amount of melatonin in each pill is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, the increasing availability of the supplement in child-friendly gummy form raises the risk of accidental ingestion at unsafe levels.
While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use, scientists have raised concerns about its potential interference with the development and the timing of puberty onset in young children.
Dr. Julie Boergers, a psychologist and pediatric sleep specialist who co-authored the study, stated that melatonin can be useful as a short-term sleep aid, particularly in children with autism or severe sleep problems, but emphasized the importance of caution when using any kind of medication or supplement in a young, developing body.
The authors of the study recommended that families primarily look to behavioral changes before considering melatonin use and to use it only temporarily under the supervision of a doctor.
In conclusion, the study’s findings have raised awareness about the widespread use of melatonin supplements among children and highlighted the need for further research into their potential long-term effects.