A melatonin It is a hormone naturally produced by our body that is responsible for our sleep and, therefore, its supplementation is very common among adults who seek to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia. However, there are still doubts about the use of the supplement by children who also have difficulty sleeping: is it safe? What are the indications? Are there risks?
According to experts consulted by CNN melatonin supplementation may be safe in children but must be done with caution It is only with medical advice . Furthermore, there is still no scientific evidence about the possible side effects of long-term use of the hormone by children.
“Although it is safe to give melatonin to your child, it is important to remember that this is a hormone, which means that, like all other hormones, it can have various effects on the body”, says Leticia Soster, neurologist child, sleep doctor and member of SBNI (Brazilian Society of Child Neurology).
“Although there is a safety profile, there is still a lot of research needed to say how much these effects can modify other factors in the child’s body in the long term”, he adds.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the body , more specifically by the pineal gland located in the brain. Its production is controlled by the 24-hour circadian cycle, which is based on the alternation between light and darkness. At night, hormone levels begin to rise, leading to drowsiness, and their peak is reached during the early hours of the morning, ensuring deep sleep, which is necessary for brain functions, as explained by child neurologist Antônio Carlos de Farias, from Hospital Pequeno Príncipe.
“With dawn and increasing light, melatonin production decreases, as sunlight inhibits its production, signaling to the body that it is time to wake up and become alert. This natural oscillation is essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and maintaining a healthy sleep pattern”, says the specialist.
Melatonin supplementation in adults is indicated for assist in sleep regulation in cases of difficulty sleeping, imbalances in the circadian cycle and problems maintaining deep sleep.
When can melatonin be indicated for children?
The AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) recommends that the use of melatonin “may improve sleep in children whose biological clocks are 'off' and in some children with developmental problems”, in official position of the entity.
However, AASM reinforces that parents should talk to a healthcare professional before giving melatonin and any supplements to children.
According to de Farias, the melatonin supplementation in children must be done with the correct indication , use of appropriate dosages and with attention to the individual characteristics of the child, for a non-prolonged period of use. “[São] Aspects that require specialized medical guidance”.
What are the possible risks of melatonin supplementation?
Melatonin supplementation, when done without medical guidance and in inappropriate dosages, can lead to drowsiness during the day , gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting or stomach pain), in addition to mood changes . In children, these effects can vary according to individual sensitivity and can affect the child's school performance and routine, according to de Farias.
According to the AASM, melatonin is the second most popular “natural” product people give to their children. Given this scenario, according to the entity, there were reports in the United States of an increase in cases of melatonin overdose and emergency care for children, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Brazil, in August 2021, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) banned the manufacture, marketing, distribution and use of a melatonin food supplement for children, called “Soninho Perfeito Melatonin Kids”, from the company Oemed. According to the agency, “there is no proven safety of use with the Agency for these age groups”.
Important tips to improve children’s sleep quality
Child neurologist Leticia Soster explains that “sleep begins when we wake up”. In other words, it is made up of all the actions we take during the day. “This is very valid for children, especially younger ones,” she says.
Therefore, one of the first essential tips is maintain an established routine with regular schedules . “It is important to have a regular time to wake up, eat, do physical activity and sleep. Fatigue is a factor that we technically call a homeostatic factor that, at the end of the day, will make the child fall asleep”, he explains.
Another important question is knowing Deal with a child's aversion to sleep . “The child has that aversive sensation of feeling sleepy, they are uncomfortable with it, feeling sleepy is bad. This is a behavioral factor”, he adds. “To resolve this issue, it is necessary to make the child relax before falling asleep so that they do not struggle with the bad feeling of being sleepy.”
Other important tips, according to experts, include:
- Avoid stimuli close to bedtime (television, music, electronic devices);
- Provide relaxing activities (soft music, low-intensity lighting, reading books with age-adjusted content);
- Avoid stimulating foods and drinks, such as coffee, soft drinks and chocolate;
- Provide a comfortable, silent, dark, ventilated environment with an appropriate temperature to promote the onset and maintenance of sleep.
Source: CNN Brasil
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