@article{ref1,
title="Factors contributing to U.S. parents' decisions to administer melatonin to children",
journal="Sleep Medicine",
year="2023",
author="Hartstein, Lauren E. and Garrison, Michelle M. and Lewin, Daniel and Boergers, Julie and Hiraki, Brandon K. and Harsh, John R. and LeBourgeois, Monique K.",
volume="114",
number="",
pages="49-54",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Pediatric melatonin use is increasingly prevalent in the U.S. despite limited research on its efficacy and long-term safety. The current study investigated factors contributing to parents' decisions whether to give children melatonin. <br><br>METHODS: Parents of children 1.0-13.9 years completed an online questionnaire on children's health, sleep, and melatonin use. Parents who reported giving melatonin to their child were asked open-ended follow-up questions on why their child takes melatonin and why they stopped (if applicable). Responses were assigned to categories through thematic coding. <br><br>RESULTS: Data were analyzed on 212 children who either consumed melatonin in the past 30 days (n = 131) or took melatonin previously (n = 81). Among children who recently took melatonin, 51.1 % exhibited bedtime resistance and 46.2 % had trouble falling asleep. Parents most commonly gave children melatonin to: help them fall asleep (49.3 %), wind down before bedtime (22.7 %), facilitate changes in their sleep routine (17.5 %), and/or change their circadian rhythm (11.4 %). Parents stopped giving melatonin because their child did not need it anymore (32.0 %), experienced negative side effects (9.3 %), and/or concerns about health and safety (13.3 %). Finally, parents initiated melatonin use on their own (50.0 %), were encouraged by a friend or family member (27.4 %), and/or followed the recommendation of a health provider (48.1 %). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Parents administered melatonin to children for a number of reasons and discontinued melatonin based on their own observations of a variety of effects. Parents frequently initiated use without the recommendation of a medical professional. Further research on indications and efficacy of melatonin and wider dissemination of guidelines are needed to help parents make informed decisions regarding children's sleep health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1389-9457",
doi="10.1016/j.sleep.2023.12.018",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2023.12.018"
}