A new study suggests that the use of melatonin as a sleep aid among American children is on the rise. Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain that regulates sleep cycles, is being given to children of increasingly younger ages. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a health advisory urging parents to consult a doctor before giving melatonin to their children. While melatonin is considered a dietary supplement in the US and can be purchased without a prescription, it is classified as a drug in many other countries. This article explores the reasons behind the growing use of melatonin, the potential risks and benefits, and the recommendations from experts.<\/p>\n
According to a study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, the reported use of melatonin among children aged one to 14 has significantly increased in recent years. The study, which interviewed parents of 993 children, found that melatonin was being used regularly, with preschoolers taking the supplement for a median of 12 months, primary school-aged children for 18 months, and pre-teens for 21 months. However, it is important to note that this study represents a relatively small sample size and may not be indicative of nationwide usage.<\/p>\n
An online survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed that approximately 46% of parents have given melatonin to children under the age of 13 to help them sleep. The survey also found that fathers are more likely to administer melatonin than mothers, and younger parents are more inclined to provide the sleep aid than older parents. This growing trend may be attributed to the increasing prevalence of sleep disorders and difficulties among children, as well as the accessibility of melatonin as an over-the-counter supplement.<\/p>\n
While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use, little is known about its long-term effects on children and adolescents. Mild side effects such as daytime sleepiness, headache, nausea, and dizziness have been reported, but the extent of these effects is still being studied. Additionally, research has shown that the actual dose of melatonin in supplements often differs from the amount stated on the packaging label, raising concerns about accuracy and consistency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant increase in reports of melatonin ingestion in children, with most cases being accidental. While the majority of children showed no symptoms, a small percentage required intensive care.<\/p>\n
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises parents to treat melatonin like any medication and keep it out of reach of children. They emphasize the importance of consulting a pediatric healthcare professional before administering melatonin to children. Furthermore, the Academy suggests that sleep problems can often be better managed through changes in schedules, habits, or behaviors rather than relying solely on melatonin.<\/p>\n
The use of melatonin as a sleep aid among American children is becoming increasingly common, with nearly one in five children under the age of 14 now consuming melatonin. While melatonin can be helpful in promoting sleep in the short term, there are concerns about its long-term effects and the accuracy of dosing in supplements. Parents are advised to consult healthcare professionals and consider alternative strategies for managing sleep problems in children. As the use of melatonin continues to rise, further research and guidelines are needed to ensure the safety and appropriate usage of this hormone in children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Melatonin use is becoming increasingly common among American children, with nearly one in five children under the age of 14 now consuming melatonin to aid sleep. A new study suggests that the use of melatonin as a sleep aid among American children is on the rise. Melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain that regulates […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}