Thousands of Kids Are Going to the ER After Taking Melatonin, CDC Says

The study finds melatonin was responsible for thousands of these visits between 2019 and 2022.

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

In recent years, adults have been turning to melatonin gummies as a natural sleep aid to help them get the rest they need. In fact, the use of this supplement in the U.S. has more than quintupled in recent years.

The problem is these tasty gummies—and other flavored versions of the popular supplement—are finding their way into the hands of curious kids who think they're candy. This accidental ingestion often results in a trip to the emergency department (ED). In fact, a new analysis published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), finds that melatonin was responsible for thousands of such visits between 2019 and 2022.

"We previously identified a 420% increase in ED visits for melatonin ingestions by children aged 5 or younger from 2009-2012 to 2017-2020," says CAPT Jennifer N. Lind, PharmD, MPH, MBA, a spokesperson for the CDC. "In this study, we analyzed data from 2019-2022 and found that there were approximately 11,000 ED visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestions by young children."

Consequently, Lind says that 7% of all ED visits in the U.S. during that time period were for unsupervised medication ingestions by children aged 5 or younger. "Among the ED visits with documentation of the container type, approximately three-quarters involved melatonin accessed from bottles, which suggests that young children either opened the bottles or that the bottles were not properly closed by caregivers."

What Can Happen When Kids Ingest Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that governs your sleep-wake cycle. In the U.S., it's sold as a dietary supplement to help address insomnia, jet lag, shift work issues, and other similar conditions. But little is known about its side effects or its safety for long-term use.

Fortunately, nearly 94% of the ED visits for melatonin ingestions by infants and young children in this study did not result in hospitalization, Lind says. "Similarly, a recent study of poison center calls found that the majority (98%) of pediatric melatonin exposures resulted in minimal or no effects."

However, Lind says another recent investigation of melatonin products found that the actual content of the melatonin product was not always the same as the labeled ingredients or strength. These differences in ingredients or strength could pose additional risks or side effects—particularly for kids.

Thomas So, PharmD, a pharmacist and senior manager for the consumer drug information group at First Databank, says, "A study in 2017 showed that the actual dosage of melatonin found in various products ranged from 17% to 478% of the amount listed on the label." This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Plus, "Most supplements like melatonin are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children," adds So.

At this time, there also is limited information on the long-term usage and effects of melatonin in children, says Abigail Strang, MD, pulmonologist at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. "Melatonin should be treated as a medication and kept in child-proof containers, in locked medicine cabinets, and out of reach of children."

A low dosage of melatonin for kids might be OK, but it's always important to talk to your child's health care provider before giving them the supplement. But it's not recommended for kids under the age of 2.

What To Do if Your Child Accidentally Ingests Melatonin

Children can experience uncomfortable—and sometimes frightening—side effects from accidental melatonin ingestions and overdoses. Most commonly, those side effects include tiredness, excessive sleepiness, nightmares, nausea, and agitation, says Eyrnne Bowers, MD, a pediatrician with Orlando Health Physician Associates Lake Mary. Most symptoms usually resolve on their own, but it is safest to call poison control for guidance on next steps, she says.

"The good news is that a melatonin overdose is not known to be fatal," says Todd Zimmerman, DO, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas. "That being said, assess your child. How do they look? How are they acting? Ultimately, if you see something that is just not right—or as I say, as a parent, if your Spidey Senses are tingling and you feel something is wrong—call 911."

Though rare, kids who ingest large quantities of melatonin also may experience a drop in blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and repeated vomiting. One study found that a small number of kids who took melatonin unsupervised required ventilation at the hospital.

So, don't delay in getting your child help, especially if you're unsure how much they took.

Tips for Preventing Accidental Ingestions

Many medicines and supplements—including those in gummy form—look like candy, making it difficult for young children and even adults to tell the difference, says Lind.

"If purchasing melatonin, you may want to select products with child-resistant packaging," Lind says. "And all medicines, vitamins, and other supplements, including those in gummy form, should be kept 'up and away,' and out of reach and sight of young children."

You also may want to consider keeping medications and supplements in a locked area or cabinet that isn't accessible by your kids, Dr. Zimmerman suggests. "Another interesting idea is to store all medications, vitamins, and supplements in a tool box or tackle box where it is easy to apply a lock."

To further protect your kids, Lind offers these tips for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers:

• Again, keep all medicines, vitamins, and other supplements (including gummies) in a safe location that is too high for young children to reach or see

• Avoid leaving medicines or supplements out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child’s bedside, even if you must give it again in a few hours

• Re-lock the safety cap on a medicine bottle every time you use it (If it has a locking cap that turns, twist it until you hear the “click” or until you can’t twist anymore.)

• Tell children what medicine is and why you or another trusted caregiver must be the one to give it to them (Teach kids to never take any medications on their own.)

• Make sure kids know that medicine is not candy and never call it candy, even if they don’t like to take their own medicine

• Remind babysitters, houseguests, and visitors to keep purses, bags, or coats that have medicines in them up and away and out of sight when they’re in your home

Note on Melatonin Use

If you are relying on melatonin to help you sleep, you may want to consult with a health care provider to see if it's right for you. "[Often] adults may be self-medicating and they should speak with their physician to see if melatonin is even indicated for them," says Kerri Layman, MD, director of the department of emergency medicine at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

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