Pushy parents are giving their children sleeping pills
- Melatonin hormone prescriptions are only authorised for those aged over 55
- Rising sleeping disorders in children mean they are being given out off label
- Parents can also purchase the controversial drugs online, experts warn
- Immediate side effects include nausea, but beyond 18 months they are unknown
- The drugs benefit autistic children who naturally produce less of the hormone
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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Too many children are being given sleeping tablets with unknown side effects as parents desire ‘perfect’ children, experts warn.
The so-called ‘sleep hormone’ melatonin is naturally produced by the body at night-time and is authorised as a prescription for adults over the age of 55 who are suffering from insomnia.
Yet an exponential rise in the number of children under 14 being hospitalised with sleep disorders over the past decade has led to concerns that some children are being prescribed the hormone ‘off label’ – using drugs in an unauthorised disease or age group.
Experts are worried melatonin is being used by parents in a quest for ‘perfect’ children.
Short-term complications of melatonin drugs include headaches, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. In the long term, animal studies suggest the drugs can have a negative impact on a user’s hormones.
NHS prescription data does not specify child ages, however, melatonin use has increased ten-fold among under-55s in the past decade, with GPs and nurses reporting overuse in children.
Pushy parents are giving their children sleeping pills in the quest for ‘perfect’ youngsters
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HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD FALL ASLEEP
Establish a routine that involves going to bed and waking at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Give your child a warning that bedtime is approaching and leave them to sleep by themselves if possible.
Switch off computers and televisions an hour before bed.
Avoid sugary and caffeinated food and drinks in the evening.
Eat heavy meals early in the day if possible.
Listen to calming music or read a book before bed to help children relax.
Source: The Children’s Sleep Charity
Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and former director of sleep research at the University of Surrey, said: ‘Unless a child has a diagnosed condition such as autism that has been scientifically proven to be helped by melatonin, there is no medical rationale for a child to be given it.
‘For non-autistic children it is a fashionable treatment for parents wanting “perfect” children,’ The Guardian reported.
Autistic children often fail to produce adequate amounts of melatonin.
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) says melatonin appears relatively safe when used for up to 18 months. Yet, its safety beyond that timeframe is unclear.
Vicki Dawson, founder of the NHS Doncaster-funded The Children’s Sleep Charity, said: ‘Parents are aware you can get it in the US in supermarkets. I’ve had parents say it is a natural remedy, but it’s not.’
Experts advise behavioural programmes, such as establishing bedtime routines, should be tried if your child struggles to nod off.
A statement from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society noted its concern at melatonin drugs being purchased online and stressed parents should try lifestyle changes before medication.
It adds children taking melatonin should be supervised by a paediatric sleep specialist and treatment should be stopped if it proves ineffective.
This comes after researchers from the University of Toronto found people who move around while dreaming may be at a higher risk of dementia or Parkinson’s disease in much later life.
They believe this is due to sleep disorders being caused by dysfunctional cells in the brain stem.
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