Is your little one not sleeping at night? Does he stay awake for a long time? At times like these, some parents are tempted to give their child melatonin, which is available at pharmacies, to help them fall asleep more easily. It tastes like jelly or toffee, so children love it. But how safe is it to give this to a child? There is actually a risk behind this that we don't think about. Let's talk about this in a little more depth.
What exactly is Melatonin?
Simply put, melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in our brain. Its main function is to regulate our circadian rhythm, the body clock that controls our sleep and wakefulness. When it gets dark, our brain starts to release melatonin. This makes us feel sleepy and helps us fall asleep.
But what we buy from the pharmacy is a supplement that is manufactured to mimic this natural hormone. This is not sold as a medicine, but as a dietary supplement in many countries.
Risk increases with increased use
In recent times, the use of melatonin has increased dramatically, especially among children. Along with this, there has been a significant increase in the number of emergency room admissions (ETU) and calls to the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital due to accidental overdoses of melatonin by children.
The main reason for this is the mistakes made by children under 5 years of age. Melatonin often comes in the form of flavored jellies (gummies), in various fruit flavors. Therefore, young children think that these are a type of candy and eat a lot at once. This risk is further increased by the fact that these often do not have a child-proof cap that children cannot open, like regular medicines.
Imagine, your melatonin bottle is on the table. What if your 4-year-old daughter sees it, thinks it's some tasty jelly balls, and eats it all? These kinds of incidents are reported all the time. So melatonin is not a good thing to keep within reach of children.
What to do if a child accidentally drinks Melatonin?
It's important not to panic if something like this happens. Also, you should pay attention to your child's symptoms and take the necessary steps.
| Symptom | What you need to do |
|---|---|
| Excessive sleepiness | This is the most common side effect. Pay attention to the baby's breathing. Gently pat and tickle the baby to see if he or she responds well. |
| Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea | This can especially happen after eating gummies. Like a child eating a lot of candy at once. Never try to induce vomiting. |
| If you have these symptoms, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately! | |
| Difficulty breathing | If the child's breathing is irregular or appears to be having difficulty breathing, take him to the hospital immediately. |
| A deep sleep that cannot be awakened | If you can't wake the baby up no matter how hard you try, that's a dangerous sign. Take him to the ETU immediately. |
| Unusual tremors or hallucinations | Although these are rare, they can be dangerous reactions. In such cases, hospitalization is also necessary. |
If you need further advice on this, you can call the National Poison Information Centre located at the Colombo National Hospital on their telephone number.
Problems with Melatonin purchased from the pharmacy
This is something that many people don't know. Because melatonin is sold as a supplement, it is not subject to the same strict regulation as regular medications. This can cause two major problems.
1. Dosage inconsistency: One study found that some melatonin bottles can contain anywhere from 83% to 478% more or less melatonin than the dosage stated on the label. This means that the dose you think your child is getting is not the dose they actually receive.
2. Containing other substances: Some melatonin products have been found to contain small amounts of other powerful chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, which should only be taken with a doctor's prescription. This is a very dangerous situation.
Have you tried these things before giving the medicine?
Before any doctor prescribes medication for a child's sleep problem, they first check to see if the child is practicing "sleep hygiene." Because in most cases, if these habits are followed correctly, the problem can be resolved without medication.
| Sleep hygiene | Description |
|---|---|
| A set bedtime | Put your child to bed at the same time 7 days a week. Putting them to bed 2-3 hours later on the weekends also throws off their body clock. |
| A calming activity before bed | Get your child used to something before bed, such as reading a book, listening to soothing music, or bathing in lukewarm water. |
| A good sleeping environment | The bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet. Using blackout curtains can help a lot. |
| Digital-free zone | Stop giving your child things like TV, phone, and tab at least an hour before bedtime. Their blue light inhibits melatonin production. |
| Diet and exercise | Avoid giving caffeine-containing foods like coffee, tea, and chocolate after lunch. Running and jumping exercises are not recommended 2 hours before bedtime. |
| Avoiding daytime sleepiness | If your child is over 5 years old, avoid letting them nap during the day. It can interfere with their sleep at night. |
"Before I prescribe medication to someone, I check to see if they have these good sleep habits. Often, these behavioral changes can solve problems. Children's bodies adapt very quickly to a regular routine."
So, before you even think about melatonin, try these habits. But if the problem doesn't resolve, see your doctor for advice. There are times when melatonin is prescribed for children with certain conditions, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism. But that decision should be made by the doctor examining your child.
Take-Home Message
- Melatonin is not candy, it's a hormone. Don't leave it where children can easily get it.
- Always talk to your doctor before giving melatonin to a child. Never give it to a child on your own.
- There may be issues with the quality of Melatonin purchased from the pharmacy and the accuracy of the dosage on the label.
- Before resorting to medication, it is very important to establish good sleep habits (Sleep Hygiene). In most cases, the problem can be resolved there.
- If a child accidentally takes too much Melatonin, has difficulty breathing, or cannot be awakened, take them to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
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