Sleep plays a fundamental role in the development and growth of children. A restful sleep is essential so that little ones have the energy to learn, play and explore the world around them. However, children and adolescents may have sleep problems.
For some time now, the administration of melatonin to children to help them fall asleep has become popular. Melatonin is a hormone that the pineal gland secretes during the night, in the absence of natural light, warning our body that it is time to sleep. Likewise, it is marketed as a nutritional supplement, making it very easy to access and administer – both in adults and children – without medical supervision.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) has a report where they delve into the use of oral melatonin in pediatric age. This report states that the effectiveness of melatonin as a chronobiological agent and its good tolerance are demonstrated. But they also emphasize that their medium and long-term side effects in children have not yet been sufficiently investigated.
“The few studies on the use of melatonin in children (over 1 year of age) suggest that melatonin can help reduce sleep latency in children with sleep problems; However, the generalization of these findings is problematic due to the small sample sizes and the short follow-up time (less than three years),” the publication adds.
Likewise, they point out that the generalization of its clinical use for the treatment of insomnia in children should be preceded by the performance of large controlled studies that determine the safety in the short, medium and long term, in addition to its effectiveness in the pediatric population (especially in children under 3 years old).
Taking into account this, they insist that a molecule with such a diversity of functions whose possible side effects are unknown, “should not be positioned in the Spanish market as a nutritional supplement and, therefore, outside the direct control of the pediatrician or sleep expert.” . The AEP's recommendation for the use of melatonin in pediatric age is that it should not be administered beyond four weeks and they urge that its use be indicated and supervised by a pediatrician or a sleep expert.
For its part, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that, “although studies have shown that short-term use of melatonin in children is relatively safe, less is known about long-term use of melatonin.” They note that, for example, “there are concerns about how it could affect a child's growth and development, particularly during puberty.” “Studies have also found that morning drowsiness, drowsiness, and possible increased urination at night are the most common side effects that occur when taking melatonin. In addition, melatonin can interact with other medications that a child takes,” they conclude.
