“Purely Luck”: The Surge in Melatonin Poisonings Among Kids and What Parents Must Know

“Purely Luck” The Surge in Melatonin Poisonings Among Kids and What Parents Must Know

In Australia, clinicians and poison control experts are sounding the alarm: calls to poisons hotlines about children ingesting melatonin have surged, doubling in just a few years. As ABC News reports, there were 1,478 calls in 2024 involving children 14 and under - more than twice the number reported in 2019.

Health professionals stress that although, to date, no fatal outcomes have been confirmed in these cases, it’s been “purely luck” that none have occurred.  The trend suggests a growing risk tied to the easier availability of melatonin products - especially in child-friendly forms like gummies and online imports.

What’s Driving the Spike?

The ABC analysis highlights several contributing factors:

·         Many parents use melatonin to help children with sleep, especially children with neurodiversity.

·         Some purchases happen via online overseas retailers, bypassing Australia’s stricter prescription rules.

·         Children may ingest these products unintentionally - mistaking gummies for candy or accessing unsecured containers at home.

·         In response, iHerb - an international online supplement retailer - recently suspended melatonin sales to Australia, citing the surge in poison calls.

Experts say part of the problem lies in education gaps: many consumers assume “natural” means “harmless,” and may not realize that dosage, formulation, and interactions matter.

Symptoms, Outcomes & Management

According to the ABC report, most melatonin exposures in children are mild and managed at home.  Symptoms may include:

·         Drowsiness or excessive sleepiness

·         Headaches

·         Nausea or vomiting

·         Dizziness

More serious outcomes are uncommon, but experts warn that combining melatonin with other medications - or overdosing in very young children - could result in more dangerous effects.

When should a parent or caregiver worry? If symptoms worsen, don’t improve, or if the child becomes difficult to wake, shows seizures, or has breathing difficulties, immediate medical attention is needed. Always contact a poison hotline (for example, 13 11 26 in Australia) for expert guidance.

The U.S. Context: “Melatonin Ingestions” Are Growing Too

The trend in Australia mirrors shifts seen elsewhere. In the U.S., pediatric melatonin ingestions reported to poison control centers rose by 530% from 2012 to 2021, with over 260,000 total cases during that period.

Among those, most exposures were unintentional with young children, and while many were mild, there were serious cases: five children required mechanical ventilation, and unfortunately two deaths were recorded in children under two years old.

These U.S. data underline that while melatonin may seem benign, under certain conditions - especially in young or vulnerable kids - it can pose real risks.

Why This Matters for You (and Your Children)

1.    “Over-the-counter” doesn’t mean risk-free
Even though melatonin is marketed as a supplement or “sleep aid,” for children especially, it should be treated with caution - especially regarding dose, purity, interactions, and formulation.

2.    Storage and packaging matter
Gummies and flavored forms are alluring to children. Medicine cabinets, especially those with child access, must be treated like a pharmacy - locked away, out of reach, clearly labeled, and not stored in containers children can open.

3.    Strict oversight needed for online imports
Foreign-sourced melatonin can vary wildly in strength, purity, and composition. In some studies, melatonin products were found to contain as little as 10% or as much as 400% of the labeled dose.

4.    Consult a pediatrician before use
A medical professional can guide whether melatonin is appropriate (some guidelines allow prescription use in children with autism or sleep disorders) and what dosage/formulation to use.

5.    Advocate for public awareness and regulation
The calls and warnings disclosed in Australia suggest a need for stricter rules, warnings on bottles, and regulation of over-the-counter access - especially for children.

What Parents Can Do Immediately

·         Keep all medications, supplements, and gummies locked away from kids.

·         Use child-resistant packaging.

·         Avoid giving melatonin without medical consultation.

·         If purchasing supplements online, check for safety certifications, batch records, or reviews from credible sources.

·         Watch for any signs of overdosage, and call poison control or emergency services at the first sign of concerning symptoms.

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