Federal regulators are raising concerns about the dangers of drug-containing products that are appealing to children. This includes nicotine-containing e-cigarette products with fruity flavors and edible cannabis products. With the rise in popularity of these products, there has been an increase in emergency department visits for accidental ingestions by kids.
A new report from the CDC has highlighted a concerning trend involving melatonin, particularly in gummy form, sending thousands of kids to emergency departments in recent years. The use of melatonin has been on the rise, leading to a 530% increase in poison control center calls and a 420% increase in emergency department visits for accidental ingestion by infants and kids between 2009 and 2020.
Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 11,000 kids ended up in the emergency department after accidentally ingesting melatonin supplements. Most of these incidents involved children between the ages of 3 and 5, with many cases involving bottles that young children managed to open themselves. While most cases had mild to no effects, about 6.5% of children required hospitalization due to their melatonin binge.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) advises caution when it comes to melatonin supplements, especially in children. They warn about the potential effects on hormonal development and emphasize the importance of keeping all medications and supplements, including gummies, out of children’s reach and sight.
Although supervised use of melatonin in children appears to be safe for short-term use, the long-term effects are still unknown. It is crucial for parents and caregivers to be vigilant in keeping these products away from children to prevent potentially harmful ingestions.
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