Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the body clock and affects when we wake and when we fall asleep. Because of its effects on the body's circadian rhythm, supplements containing melatonin are often used as a sleep or to treat conditions such as insomnia and jet lag. Few studies have been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of melatonin supplements in children. MedlinePlus recommends consulting your child's doctor and pharmacist before starting a course of the supplement.
Drowsiness
Melatonin supplement can affect your body clock. As a result, your child may be drowsy in the morning after taking melatonin the previous night. If melatonin is taken during the day, your child may be tired or sluggish, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Always consult a trusted medical professional before giving your child melatonin supplements to improve his sleep.
Seizures
Use of melatonin supplements in children with neurological disorders can increase the risk of seizures, according to the University of Michigan Health System. When using dosages between 1g and 5g, the children in the study did sleep better but suffered an increased risk of seizures. Because of this risk, children with neurological disorders should never take supplements containing melatonin.
Nightmares
Children who take melatonin supplement can also have nightmares or may have vivid dreams that they are able to remember after waking, according to MedlinePlus. Sleepwalking has also been reported in children taking melatonin. These behaviors resolve after use of the supplement has been discontinued. Consult your child's medical practitioner before using melatonin supplements.
Mood Changes
Significant changes in mood and behavior can also develop in people taking melatonin. Your child may seem extremely happy or sad or experience paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, according to MedlinePlus. These symptoms are more common in people using high doses of melatonin. However, because of these risks, melatonin should never be given to children with mental illnesses such as depression or psychotic conditions unless under the watch of a medical professional.
Bleeding
Melatonin may interfere with the body's blood-clotting ability, which can cause severe bleeding in some cases. This risk is greatest in people taking blood-thinning medications, according to MedlinePlus. Because of this risk, children with blood-clotting disorders and those taking a blood-thinning drug should not use melatonin supplements.
Headaches
Some people using melatonin supplements have reported experiencing severe headaches as well as dizziness and lightheadedness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Blood Sugar Levels
Melatonin supplements can cause blood sugar levels to increase and may also interfere with the body's response to insulin and glucose tolerance, according to MedlinePlus. Children with diabetes or hypoglycemia should not use melatonin because of how it may affect these conditions.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Nausea, upset stomach and abdominal cramps have been reported as side effects of melatonin. However, these reports have not been substantiated with medical studies to confirm it can cause these effects, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
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