Melatonin Use Among Children Skyrockets, Raising Concerns of Overdose and Long-Term Health Effects
Health experts are warning of a dramatic increase in melatonin use among children in the United States, leading to a surge in reported overdoses and raising concerns about the hormone’s potential long-term effects on developing bodies.
More than 67 million Americans currently take melatonin, with sales projected to exceed $588 million in 2025, a significant rise from $339 million in 2017. While commonly used by adults to address insomnia, a 2023 study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that nearly half – 46 percent – of parents have given melatonin to children under 13 to aid sleep. This increased use has correlated with a 530 percent increase in calls to poison control centers regarding melatonin ingestion by children between 2012 and 2021, totaling 260,435 calls. The rise in melatonin use highlights a growing trend of parents seeking quick fixes for sleep issues, potentially overlooking underlying behavioral or medical causes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveals that in 2021, melatonin accounted for five percent of all pediatric poisonings, a substantial increase from one percent in 2012. Reports included two fatalities, five children requiring ventilation, nearly 300 admissions to intensive care, and over 4,000 hospitalizations. Neurologist Dr. Keith Vossel of UCLA cautioned against giving melatonin to children, stating it “could have effects on the timing of puberty, metabolism and immune system.” He explained the hormone interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls puberty, emphasizing the need for further long-term studies. For more information on sleep disorders, visit the Sleep Foundation.
Experts like Dr. Rachel Toles, a clinical psychologist, stress that melatonin is “a hormone, not a harmless vitamin,” and its impact on developing brains remains largely unknown. Concerns extend to potential metabolic and immune system disruptions, as well as the risk of children becoming reliant on the supplement. Stories shared online, including one mother whose two-year-old ingested 26mg of melatonin after accessing a bottle of gummies, underscore the dangers of accidental overdoses. The Food and Drug Administration offers guidance on melatonin use and safety.
Health officials are urging parents to exhaust behavioral approaches to address children’s sleep problems before considering melatonin, emphasizing the importance of consistent routines, limited screen time, and addressing underlying anxiety.
