About 11,000 young children visited an emergency department (ED) from 2019-’22 after ingesting melatonin while unsupervised, according to a new study.
The finding “highlights the continued need to educate parents and other caregivers about the importance of keeping all medications and supplements (including gummies) out of children’s reach and sight,” authors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote in a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Melatonin is a natural, hormone-like substance that has grown in popularity as a sleep aid. It is sold as an over-the-counter supplement.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System on ED visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestion involving children 5 years and younger from 2019-’22. They estimated there were 10,930 such visits nationwide accounting for 7% of ED visits for unsupervised medication exposure in this age group.
Just over half of the cases involved children 3-5 years, according to the study. Most did not require hospitalization.
Gummies were a popular dosage form. Just over one-third of the ED visits involved a child ingesting 10 or more units.
“Selecting products with child-resistant packaging might be advisable in homes with young children,” authors wrote.
They also encouraged parents and caregivers to store medications and supplements where children can’t access them.
A previous study found more than 52,000 calls to poison centers in 2021 for melatonin ingestions among children and teens, a 530% jump from 2012.
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