Melatonin is now the leading cause of unsupervised medication exposure and overdose among young children seen in U.S. emergency departments. The number of melatonin ingestions and overdoses increased fivefold between 2009 and 2021, with most cases involving children under age 6. Although most exposures result in minor effects, some have led to serious outcomes, including death.

A new systematic review of nearly two decades of research finds that melatonin prescribing, extended use, and overdoses in young children have increased sharply—despite limited evidence supporting its long-term effectiveness, particularly for children with typical development.

Chelsea Kracht, Ph.D., assistant professor at KU School of Medicine, was the primary author of the study, published in JAMA Network Open.

One of the authors, Dr. Rob Breeden, is a pediatrician with The University of Kansas Health System. His interview is available for your use.

Melatonin Use in Young Children: A Systematic Review | Pediatrics | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network

The review analyzed 19 studies published between 2000 and 2025 and focused on children ages 0 to 6. Researchers found that while short-term use of melatonin may help some children with neurologic conditions—such as autism spectrum disorder—fall asleep faster, there is little evidence supporting its effectiveness or safety over the long term, and no efficacy data for children with typical development.