Melatonin in Children: Rising Prescriptions and Concerns
- A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights a global increase in melatonin prescriptions for children and raises concerns about the lack of robust evidence supporting its...
- Researchers from the United States have documented a notable increase in melatonin prescriptions for children worldwide.The study, published in "JAMA Network Open", underscores a critical gap in understanding...
- the researchers strongly suggest that medical professionals should proactively discuss behavioral interventions with young children and their families to reduce the need for medication and prevent potential overdoses.
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Researchers Warn of Rising Melatonin Use in Children,Advocate for Behavioral Interventions
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A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights a global increase in melatonin prescriptions for children and raises concerns about the lack of robust evidence supporting its effectiveness in those with typical advancement. Experts recommend prioritizing behavioral interventions and cautious use of melatonin.
The Rise in Melatonin Use
Researchers from the United States have documented a notable increase in melatonin prescriptions for children worldwide.The study, published in “JAMA Network Open”, underscores a critical gap in understanding the long-term effects of melatonin use in children who do not have underlying neurodevelopmental conditions. This trend prompts a call for preventative strategies and reduced reliance on the hormone.
Behavioral Interventions as a Frist Line of Defense
the researchers strongly suggest that medical professionals should proactively discuss behavioral interventions with young children and their families to reduce the need for medication and prevent potential overdoses. These interventions can include establishing consistent bedtime routines, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and limiting screen time before bed.
Oscar Larrosa, a clinical neurophysiologist, expert in Sleep Medicine, and clinical-care manager of the Sleep Medicine Unit of MIP Salud-Personalized Thorough Medicine, emphasized the limited transferability of melatonin’s effectiveness from neurodevelopmental problems to simple insomnia in children with normal development. He cautioned that melatonin use should be reserved for specific cases of early insomnia, used in the short term, and at low doses due to the incomplete understanding of its neuroendocrine effects. He stated to SMC Spain: “Its effectiveness and usefulness has been validated in longer-term neurodevelopmental problems, but this is not transferable to children with insomnia with normal development. Its use only seems reasonable, in certain cases, in early insomnia problems, in the short term and at not very high doses, out of caution and because we still do not know many things about this neuroendocrine hormone.”
Cautious Approach to Melatonin Use Recommended
Javier Garjon, head of the Medication Advisory and facts service in the pharmacy and Benefits Subdirectorate of the Navarrese Health Service, echoed the researchers’ recommendations. He noted that the advice stems more from a lack of sufficient data than from definitive study results. Garjon advocates for limiting melatonin use in young children to approved indications, prioritizing non-pharmacological measures, ensuring adequate supervision, and classifying melatonin as a medicine rather than a supplement. He told SMC: “It means limiting the use of melatonin in young children to approved indications and always after trying non-pharmacological measures, the need for adequate supervision and that it would be better to position melatonin as a medicine and not as a supplement.”