Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleeping patterns. The human body produces and secretes more melatonin during the dark evening hours and less during the day. Melatonin supplements may help improve the sleep of kids who are exposed to too much bright light at bed time or have sleep disturbances, like insomnia. Melatonin supplements are thought to be safe for children, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated them for safety or effectiveness.
Insomnia
Research studies suggest melatonin supplements can help people who suffer from sleeping disorders by reducing the time it takes to fall sleep and by increasing the number of hours slept. Insomnia is common during childhood and adolescence and the lack of sleep can negatively affect how children's brains function during the day, including learning and memory. Studies also show that children can take melatonin for insomnia at the appropriate dosage over extended periods of time without any harm.
ADHD
Sleeping disorders affect from 25 to 50 percent of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and the sleeping problems make the ADHD symptoms worse. Some studies indicate supplemental melatonin can help improve how children with ADHD sleep, but not all studies show that taking melatonin helps to improve their behavior and attention during the day.
Dosage
For children under the age of 15, a dosage of 0.3 mg appears to be safe and effective. Research studies have used pediatric dosages ranging from 0.3 mg per day to 10 mg per day, but some children have suffered from seizures at doses over 1.0 mg. Children over the age of 15 can take melatonin at adult dosages, which range from 1.0 to 3.0 mg per day, about one hour before going to sleep.
Precautions
Melatonin supplements may cause nightmares in some children and will cause drowsiness when taken during the day. The supplements may also make the symptoms of depression worse and may interact with certain antidepressants. Children who are on any medications or have been diagnosed with any health problems should be examined by their health care providers before taking melatonin.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Melatonin
- "Psychopharmacology"; Evaluation of Sleep, Puberty and Mental Health in Children with Long-term Melatonin Treatment for Chronic Idiopathic Childhood Sleep Onset Insomnia; I.M. van Geijlswijk; February 2011
- "CNS Drugs"; Sleep Problems in the child with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Defining Aetiology and Appropriate Treatments; M.D. Weis; October 2010
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