According to the CDC, approximately 11,000 children ages 5 and younger were taken to the emergency room between 2019 and 2022 after ingesting melatonin products while unsupervised. Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, is commonly found in flavored gummies for children.
The use of melatonin supplements has more than doubled over the past decade, as reported in the journal JAMA. Based on data from 295 identified cases, an estimated 10,930 emergency room visits occurred during this period, accounting for 7.1% of all ER visits for unsupervised medication exposures by infants and children. Although most of these incidents did not result in hospitalization, they highlight a pressing need for increased awareness and prevention measures.
Forrest City Medical Center aims to provide valuable insights into the importance of reminding parents and caregivers to keep all medications and supplements, including gummies containing melatonin, out of children’s reach and sight.