High Rise in Pediatric Melatonin Exposures: CDC Report
The number of young children accidentally ingesting melatonin in gummies, tablets and other forms has sharply increased in the last two decades, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sharp Increase and Alarming Trends
According to the CDC, there was a 530 percent rise in calls to poison centers for pediatric melatonin exposures between 2012 and 2021. This increase is a cause for concern as it indicates a rise in unintended consumption among young children. Moreover, the number of emergency room visits related to melatonin ingestion among children under the age of 5 has increased by 420 percent.
These data, based on 295 reported cases within a 3-year period, reveal that pediatric melatonin exposures comprised 7.1 percent of all emergency department visits for medication exposures in this age group.
Influence of Adult Melatonin Use
The rise in pediatric melatonin exposure coincides with a corresponding increase in melatonin use among adults. A survey conducted between 1999 and 2018 by the National Institutes of Health suggests that the proportion of adults using melatonin rose from 0.4 to 2.1 percent.
According to Maribeth Sivilus, an epidemiologist with the CDC, the increased availability of melatonin in homes may contribute to more cases of accidental ingestion among children. Having more of these products accessible to children can increase the risk of exposure.
Attractive and Accessible to Children
Melatonin, which is naturally produced in the body and often used as a sleep aid, is available as a supplement in various forms, including gummies and chewable tablets. The appealing flavors and easy access to these products make them attractive to children. Unfortunately, unlike standard medications, most melatonin supplements do not have childproof caps, and they are not regulated like medicines.
A lack of regulation in the packaging of melatonin supplements and the assumption of reduced risk by some parents significantly contribute to the increase in pediatric melatonin exposures. While unsupervised medication exposures overall have been declining, the rise in melatonin exposures among children suggests a need for better safety measures to protect young children from the potential harms of accidental ingestion.
Melatonin Risks and Lack of Regulation
A study published in JAMA last year revealed that the stated melatonin content on product labels may not accurately represent the actual melatonin content. The study, conducted by researchers from the Cambridge Health Alliance and the University of Mississippi, tested 25 melatonin supplements and found that most products contained 20, 30, or 50 percent more melatonin content than what was listed.
Dr. Darria Long Gillespie, an emergency physician and spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, points out that the lack of regulation in the melatonin supplement industry poses risks to consumers. Products may contain ingredients other than melatonin, which may be undisclosed on labels and vary product to product.
While most children exposed to melatonin do not require hospitalization and experience mild symptoms such as somnolence, nausea, vomiting, or headache, there may be concerns about potential contamination and the long-term effects of melatonin use. Cora Collette Breuner, a professor of pediatrics adolescent medicine, emphasizes that melatonin is not an herb and raises questions about its impacts on developing bodies and brains.
Pandemic Impact and Calls for Packaging Reform
The pandemic has led parents to seek over-the-counter remedies like melatonin to address disrupted sleep patterns. This surge in melatonin use among household members has also contributed to increased accidental exposures among children.
The rise in melatonin exposures has caused strain on healthcare systems, including emergency departments and poison control centers. Melatonin ingestions, whether exploratory in young children or intentional in teenagers, can lead to increased wait times and, in some cases, hospital admissions.
Poison control officials are calling for better packaging and regulations to prevent melatonin exposures and subsequent healthcare burdens. Packaging reform, including childproof caps and clearer labeling, is seen as essential in mitigating the risks associated with melatonin ingestion.
With an estimated 46,756 melatonin exposures reported in 2022, the need for proactive measures to address this issue is becoming increasingly urgent.
