{"id":2101850,"date":"2023-11-17T12:18:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T17:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nearly-20-of-children-take-melatonin-raising-calls-for-alarm\/"},"modified":"2023-11-17T12:21:55","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T17:21:55","slug":"nearly-20-of-children-take-melatonin-raising-calls-for-alarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nearly-20-of-children-take-melatonin-raising-calls-for-alarm\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 20% of children take melatonin, raising calls for alarm"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnearly-20-of-children-take-melatonin-raising-calls-for-alarm%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2101850&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Pediatric Medicine \u2063Specialists Call for More Research on Melatonin Supplements for Children<\/h2>\n<p>One \u2063in five parents are routinely giving their \u200bschool-aged or adolescent children melatonin supplements, prompting pediatric medicine specialists to advocate for further\u200c investigation into its \u2063effects on children. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, less than 2% of \u200bparents administered melatonin to their children, a hormone that aids in \u2064sleep preparation.<\/p>\n<h3>Alarming Statistics<\/h3>\n<p>A recent study published in\u2063 JAMA Pediatrics \u2062by researchers\u200c from the University of Colorado, Boulder, revealed \u200bconcerning statistics. Within the past \u206430 days, 18.5% of children aged 5 to 9, over\u2063 19% of youths aged 10 to 13, and 6% of \u200dchildren aged 1 to 4 \u200chad been given melatonin \u200csupplements. Lead author Lauren Hartstein, a postdoctoral fellow \u2063at the\u2063 Sleep Development Lab at CU Boulder, expressed surprise at the sudden increase in melatonin usage among parents.<\/p>\n<h3>Long-Term Use and Lack of Regulation<\/h3>\n<p>The study also highlighted the duration of melatonin use, with preschoolers taking \u2063the supplement for approximately a year, and grade school and adolescent children using it for 18 to 21\u2064 months. However, researchers emphasized\u200d the need for more research to determine the long-term \u200dsafety\u200d of melatonin for children. Another concern raised by \u2064Hartstein and her \u2063colleagues is the lack of regulation on melatonin dosages, as many parents may not be aware of the exact amount they are giving their children.<\/p>\n<h3>Unreliable Product Quality<\/h3>\n<p>A \u200dseparate study discovered inconsistencies in the melatonin content of gummy products, with 22 out of 25 products containing different amounts than \u2064indicated on the packaging. One product even had more than three times the\u200b advertised amount. The \u200bFood and Drug Administration (FDA) does \u2064not regulate\u2063 melatonin dosages or advertisements due to its classification as a dietary supplement.<\/p>\n<h3>Rising\u200b Concerns and Hospitalizations<\/h3>\n<p>Between 2012 and 2021, calls to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/no-ivermectin-overdoses-didnt-overwhelm-oklahoma-hospitals-and-force-gunshot-victims-to-wait\/\" title=\"No, Ivermectin Overdoses Didn\u2019t Overwhelm Oklahoma Hospitals And Force Gunshot Victims To Wait\">poison control centers<\/a> for melatonin ingestion increased by 530%, primarily \u200daffecting children under 5. Hospitalizations and serious outcomes related to melatonin\u200d poisoning have also risen over the past decade, with teenagers intentionally overdosing on the supplement. While melatonin has shown positive outcomes for children with chronic conditions, such as asthma, \u2063ADHD, or \u200dautism spectrum disorder, it is not \u2064typically recommended as a first-line treatment.<\/p>\n<h3>Expert Recommendations<\/h3>\n<p>The \u200dNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises parents to consult healthcare providers before \u200cusing melatonin as a sleep\u200b aid for their\u200d children.\u2063 While there are no universal guidelines \u200bfor improving \u2062sleep in children,\u2062 behavioral treatments and parent education are often recommended as initial treatments, which may be supplemented \u2062with \u2064medication.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, further research and regulation are necessary to\u2062 ensure the \u2064safe and appropriate use of melatonin supplements for children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Click here to read more from the Washington Examiner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/should-be-no-risk-world-economic-forum-pushes-space-bubbles-to-block-out-the-sun-stop-climate-change\/\" title=\"\u2018Should Be No Risk\u2019: World Economic Forum Pushes \u2018Space Bubbles\u2019 To Block Out The Sun, Stop Climate Change\">potential long-term effects<\/a> \u2063of melatonin on children&#8217;s health and development?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Escents taking\u2064 it\u200d for an average of two years. \u200bThis raises concerns among pediatric medicine specialists as \u2062there is limited research on the long-term effects of melatonin on children&#8217;s health and development.<\/p>\n<p>Another issue is the lack\u2064 of regulation surrounding melatonin supplements. \u200cUnlike medications, melatonin supplements are classified as dietary supplements and therefore do not undergo the same rigorous testing and approval process by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. This means\u2064 that the safety and efficacy of these supplements are not guaranteed.<\/p>\n<h3>Potential \u2063Risks and Side Effects<\/h3>\n<p>While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term \u200cuse, there are\u2063 potential risks and side effects\u200c that\u200d need\u2063 to be taken into account when considering its \u2063use \u200cin children. Some studies\u2064 have suggested that melatonin may interfere \u200cwith hormonal development,\u2063 particularly during puberty.\u2063 It may also affect\u2062 sleep-wake cycles and lead to daytime sleepiness, dizziness, and headaches.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore,\u200c melatonin supplements may interact with other medications that a child may be taking, such as antidepressants\u2062 or antipsychotics, potentially causing adverse \u200beffects or reducing\u200b the effectiveness\u200d of these medications.<\/p>\n<h3>The Need for Further\u200d Research<\/h3>\n<p>Given\u200d the significant increase in melatonin supplement usage among children, it is crucial to prioritize further research to better understand the potential \u200brisks and benefits of its use in this population. This research should focus on evaluating \u2064the long-term\u200b effects of melatonin on children&#8217;s health, including hormonal development, sleep patterns, and cognitive function.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there is a need for standardized guidelines and regulations regarding the use of melatonin supplements in children. These guidelines should\u200c address appropriate dosages, duration of use, and \u2064potential interactions with other medications.<\/p>\n<h3>Pediatric Medicine Specialists&#8217; Recommendations<\/h3>\n<p>In light of the limited research and potential\u2063 risks associated with melatonin supplements for children, pediatric medicine specialists recommend the following:<\/p>\n<p>1. \u200cPrioritize further research: Funding and resources\u200c should\u2062 be allocated to conduct rigorous studies on the effects of melatonin supplements in children, \u200cwith a focus on long-term use and potential risks.<\/p>\n<p>2. Educate parents and healthcare providers:\u2062 Parents should be made aware of the limited evidence supporting the use of melatonin supplements in\u200b children. Healthcare providers should be trained to discuss\u2064 potential risks and benefits with parents, as well as alternative strategies to manage sleep disturbances in\u200d children.<\/p>\n<p>3. Develop guidelines and regulations: Regulatory bodies should establish guidelines\u200b for the use of melatonin supplements in \u2064children, including appropriate dosages, duration of use, \u200dand potential \u2062interactions with other medications.<\/p>\n<p>4. Promote healthy sleep habits: Instead of relying on melatonin supplements, parents \u2063should \u200d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nearly-20-of-children-take-melatonin-raising-calls-for-alarm\/\" title=\"Nearly 20% of children take melatonin, raising calls for alarm\">prioritize\u200d establishing healthy sleep routines<\/a> and habits for their children. This includes maintaining consistent bedtimes,\u200b creating a conducive sleep environment, and\u2062 limiting the use of electronic devices \u2062before \u200dbedtime.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the significant increase in melatonin supplement usage among children necessitates further research to evaluate \u200bits long-term effects and potential risks. Pediatric medicine specialists advocate for more resources and\u2063 guidelines to address this\u2063 growing concern and \u200bto ensure the safety and well-being of children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pediatric medicine experts urge further investigation on melatonin supplements&#8217; impact on children, as 20% of parents now regularly administer the sleep aid to their school-aged or adolescent kids. Pre-pandemic, only 2% of parents used melatonin, a natural hormone that aids in sleep preparation. More research is needed in this area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2101851,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2101850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2101850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2101850"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2101850\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2101851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2101850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2101850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2101850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}