Pediatric Melatonin Ingestions - United States, 2012-2021.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Retrospective observational surveillance study using poison center registry data (case-series/cross-sectional registry analysis)
PubMed 35653284 · doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7122a1
What was done
Researchers analyzed isolated melatonin ingestions among children, adolescents, and young adults aged ≤19 years reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS) from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021.
What was found
A total of 260,435 pediatric melatonin ingestions were reported over the 10-year study period. Annual ingestions increased by 530%, with melatonin rising from 0.6% of all pediatric poison center reports in 2012 to 4.9% in 2021. Pediatric hospitalizations and more serious outcomes increased, primarily driven by unintentional ingestions among children aged ≤5 years. Five children required mechanical ventilation, and two died.
Why it matters
This study documents a dramatic surge in pediatric melatonin ingestions over a decade, highlighting that widely available over-the-counter sleep supplements can lead to severe pediatric outcomes, hospitalizations, and fatalities.
Limits
The findings rely on passive poison center reporting, which introduces reporting bias and likely undercounts total exposures. The abstract does not report specific ingested doses, exact hospitalization totals, confirmation of product purity or active ingredient concentrations, or detailed clinical confounders.
Cited by
- supports Poison control center data documented an approximate 600% increase in reports of pediatric melatonin overdoses and ingestions.