Safety of Melatonin in Children

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, according to drweil.com. This occurs primarily as it gets dark. Children normally have more melatonin being produced naturally within their bodies than adults do. Because of this, the safety of taking additional synthetic melatonin is really unknown.

Considerations

• There are numerous studies that suggest extra melatonin supplementation can be beneficial for adults suffering from insomnia. MIT scientists, led by Richard Wurtman, discovered that 0.3 mg is necessary for falling asleep and returning to sleep. Supplements available in stores contain 10 times that amount. As a result, the body builds up a resistance. People have thus begun to think it does not work. There are not many studies done with healthy children to analyze the effect it has on them. It has been helpful for children who have neurological sleep disorders.

Warning

• The sale of melatonin is restricted in many countries but is currently available over the counter in the U.S.

Expert Insight

• Dr. Brainard, a melatonin expert at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, states on Dr. Weil's website, that when melatonin has been prescribed for children, it has rarely been linked with side effects.

Side Effects

• The side effects that rarely do occur as a result of children taking melatonin are seizures (mostly in children who have them anyway), hyperactivity, agitation, behavioral changes, worsening sleep patterns, nightmares and constipation.

Prevention/Solution

• Melatonin's safety in children is not established. At this time in life, nothing should be taken every night to help the child sleep. Addressing the deeper issues involved with the sleep problem would be a more effective way to go.