Melatonin Use in Children

Melatonin is a hormone that helps tell the body when it is time to go to sleep or wake up. It is produced in the brain by the pineal gland.

Types of Melatonin

• Our bodies naturally produce melatonin. Synthetic melatonin supplements can be purchased over-the-counter for those that have problems sleeping.

Melatonin Uses for Children

• Melatonin has been used to help children with neuro-psychiatric disorders and sleep disorders. These include autism, ADHD, epilepsy, visual impairment and various psychiatric disorders.

Benefits for Children

• Melatonin can help children who have trouble falling sleep at night have an easier time doing so. It can also help children who wake up multiple times each night to stay asleep with less sleep disturbance.

Side Effects in Children

• Melatonin can cause some side effects in children. These can include sleepiness, sluggishness, headache, upset stomach, depression or the feeling of being hungover. Studies are still being done to determine if there are any long-term effects of using melatonin.

Considerations for Children

• More testing is needed to find out how melatonin use affects other diseases and how it interacts with other medications. Before giving any medication to your child, you should consult a physician.