🌙 Melatonin & Pediatric Sleep Medicines


What it is:

Melatonin is a natural hormone made by the brain’s pineal gland that helps regulate the sleep–wake cycle.

As a supplement, melatonin is often used to help children fall asleep when they have insomnia, delayed sleep phase, or sleep problems related to ADHD or autism.


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📊 How Common Is Melatonin Use in Kids?

• A 2024 U.S. survey found about 18–19% of school-aged children and preteens had taken melatonin in the past 30 days.

• CDC data show melatonin ingestions reported to poison centers increased 530% between 2012 and 2021, with more hospitalizations, especially in younger children.


So: melatonin is very popular, but that also means safety and proper dosing are critical.


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🧠 How It Works


Melatonin doesn’t “knock kids out.” It sends a time-of-night signal to the brain, telling it that it’s time to get sleepy.

It works best when used alongside good sleep habits: low lights at night, limited screens, consistent bedtimes.


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😊 When It’s Often Used

• Difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia)

• Delayed sleep phase (falling asleep very late, waking very late)

• Sleep problems in children with autism, ADHD, or developmental disorders


Clinical reviews suggest melatonin can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and slightly increase total sleep time, with a generally good safety profile in the short to medium term.


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⚠️ Safety Concerns for Families

• Supplement quality varies a lot. Studies have found many children’s melatonin products contain much more or less melatonin than the label states, and sometimes other substances.

• Most reported side effects are mild: fatigue, morning sleepiness, mood changes, or headaches.

• Long-term effects on puberty and hormones are still being studied; current evidence is reassuring but not complete.

• Professional groups generally discourage melatonin in children under age 2except under specialist care, and recommend using it for short-term support, not as a permanent nightly habit.


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🌷 How Families Can Use It Safely (With a Doctor)

• Focus first on sleep hygiene: consistent bedtime, dark quiet room, no screens 1–2 hours before bed.

• If melatonin is recommended, use the lowest effective dose (often 0.5–3 mg in school-age kids, but the doctor decides).

• Keep all melatonin (especially gummies) locked away like medicine, not candy.

• Tell your doctor about all other medications, since melatonin can interact with some drugs (e.g., those affecting liver enzyme CYP1A2).


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References (Melatonin):

• Shenoy, P., et al. (2024). Melatonin use in pediatrics: Indications and safety. Pediatric Neurology Reviews.

• Hartstein, L. E., et al. (2024). Characteristics of melatonin use among US children and adolescents. JAMA Pediatrics.

• Lelak, K., et al. (2022). Pediatric melatonin ingestions — United States, 2012–2021. MMWR.

• Händel, M. N., et al. (2023). Short- and long-term adverse effects of melatonin in children. eClinicalMedicine.