Trends in Cough and Cold Medicine Recommendations for Children in the United States, 2002-2015
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: diary-estimated total sleep time was now associated with melatonin use.Discussion | This study estimated a prevalence of 6% of melatonin use in school-aged children, indicating that 1 in 17 children is likely to take melatonin at least once a week.This is despite the unknown effects of the use of melatonin in children. 1 We found that caregiver-and child-reported sleep problems and sleep diary-reported shorter total sleep time were associated with melatonin use.The most likely explanation for our findings is that perceived poor sleep is an indication for melatonin use.Indeed, a previous study indicates that parents administer over-the-counter melatonin in 12-year-old children to improve sleep problems.1 However, melatonin is often taken without prescription or good advice on dosage and timing of administration.If melatonin is taken wrongly, for example by administering it shortly before bedtime, it can actually worsen sleep.6 However, the current study is cross sectional, precluding any inference about temporality.The use of melatonin in school-aged children is common, although potentially harmful effects of melatonin use in children are unknown.Longitudinal and well-controlled studies are urgently needed to identify the effectiveness and potential negative consequences of melatonin use in children.This would provide the evidence to formulate clinical guidelines for the indication and dosage of melatonin in children, which is pressing issue as melatonin is currently freely available.
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2965069495