By Mike Montemarano, Associate Editor06.10.22
During a period beginning in 2012 and ending in 2021, the number of annual reports of pediatric ingestion of melatonin increased 530% with a total of 260,435 ingestions reported. There was a correlated increase in pediatric hospitalizations and more serious outcomes, primarily because of an increase in unintentional melatonin ingestion in children five years old and younger, the CDC reported.
Of all reported melatonin ingestions, 4,555 (1.6%) resulted in more serious outcomes. Five children required mechanical ventilation, and two died. This data came from a cross-sectional study of pediatric melatonin ingestion reported to U.S. poison control centers.
Melatonin, a popular ingredient found in dietary supplements, became the most frequently-ingested substance among children reported to national poison control centers in 2020, the CDC researchers wrote, with the largest annual increase in pediatric melatonin ingestions occurring during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This might be related to increased accessibility of melatonin during the pandemic, as children spe
Of all reported melatonin ingestions, 4,555 (1.6%) resulted in more serious outcomes. Five children required mechanical ventilation, and two died. This data came from a cross-sectional study of pediatric melatonin ingestion reported to U.S. poison control centers.
Melatonin, a popular ingredient found in dietary supplements, became the most frequently-ingested substance among children reported to national poison control centers in 2020, the CDC researchers wrote, with the largest annual increase in pediatric melatonin ingestions occurring during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This might be related to increased accessibility of melatonin during the pandemic, as children spe
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