Melatonin Gummies Cause 11,000 Emergency Visits Among Infants and Young Children: Study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

According to new research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), melatonin was responsible for approximately 11,000 such incidents between 2019 and 2022.
In over one third (36%) of the cases, children had swallowed ten or more gummies or tablets.
Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body's circadian rhythm and helps with sleep, has been linked to an increase in emergency department visits among infants and young children.
The majority of these cases involved ingestion of flavored products like gummies, with nearly half of all visits caused by a candy-like product.
Melatonin Gummies Cause 11,000 Emergency Visits Among Infants and Young Children: Study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body's circadian rhythm and helps with sleep, has been linked to an increase in emergency department visits among infants and young children. According to new research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), melatonin was responsible for approximately 11,000 such incidents between 2019 and 2022. The majority of these cases involved ingestion of flavored products like gummies, with nearly half of all visits caused by a candy-like product. In over one third (36%) of the cases, children had swallowed ten or more gummies or tablets. While most incidents did not result in hospitalization, melatonin can cause nausea, headaches, diarrhea and other side effects if ingested by children.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if the study included all cases of melatonin ingestion by children, or only those that resulted in emergency visits.
  • It is unclear what other side effects may have been experienced by the children who consumed melatonin.
  • The study does not provide information on how many of these incidents were caused by accidental ingestion versus intentional use.

Sources

75%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Thousands of children are landing in the ER after ingesting melatonin without supervision

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Amanda Musa Thursday, 07 March 2024 18:43
  • Unique Points
    • Thousands of children have landed in the ER after ingesting melatonin while unsupervised.
    • Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that regulates sleep-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm.
    • Researchers from CDC and US Consumer Product Safety Commission identified cases involving children age 5 and younger who were taken to the emergency department between 2019 and 2022 after ingesting melatonin without supervision.
    • More than half of accidental ingestions involved children between 3 and 5 years old.
    • The majority of visits did not involve additional medications.
    • Melatonin gummies were involved in nearly 5,000 cases.
    • <3 quarters of emergency department visits with documentation of melatonin container involved bottles
    • Taking away blue-light emitting smartphones, tablets, laptops and television at least two hours before bed will keep melatonin production humming along.
    • <3 reading or listening to bedtime stories in a softly lit room>
    • <3 taking a warm bath>
    • <3 doing light stretches.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (80%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that melatonin products have become increasingly popular among US adults and a new report from the CDC says about 11,000 children have landed in the emergency room after ingesting it while unsupervised. However, this statement implies that melatonin is only used by adults for sleep disorders when in fact it can be used by anyone struggling to fall asleep due to jet lag or shift work. Secondly, the article states that more than half of accidental ingestions involved children between 3 and 5 years old and the majority of visits did not involve additional medications. However, this statement implies that melatonin is safe for all ages when in fact it can have side effects on children such as drowsiness, headaches, agitation and increased bed-wetting or urination in the evening. Thirdly, the article states that parents should always consult their pediatrician before giving their children melatonin. However, this statement implies that melatonin is safe for all ages when in fact it can have side effects on children.
    • The article advises parents to always consult their pediatrician before giving their children melatonin but this implies that melatonin is safe for all ages when in fact it can have side effects on children.
    • The article claims that melatonin products are only used by adults for sleep disorders but the truth is they can be used by anyone struggling to fall asleep due to jet lag or shift work.
    • The article states that more than half of accidental ingestions involved children between 3 and 5 years old and the majority of visits did not involve additional medications, implying melatonin is safe for all ages when in fact it can have side effects on children.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The article is biased towards the negative effects of melatonin ingestion in children. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes parents who give their children melatonin supplements without supervision, such as 'thousands of children are landing in the ER after ingesting it while unsupervised'. This is a clear example of sensationalism and fear-mongering. Additionally, the article uses language that implies that all melatonin products are dangerous and harmful to children's health. The author also quotes experts who warn about potential side effects without providing any context or evidence for these claims.
    • Parents should always consult their pediatrician before giving their children melatonin.
      • The vast majority of unsupervised melatonin ingestions did not result in hospitalization. However, more research is needed to determine if supervised use of melatonin for children is safe or needed.
        • thousands of children are landing in the ER after ingesting it while unsupervised
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        78%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Notes from the Field: Emergency Department Visits for ...

        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thursday, 07 March 2024 00:00
        • Unique Points
          • During 2019-2022, melatonin was implicated in approximately 11,000 (7%) emergency department visits among infants and young children for unsupervised medication ingestions. Many incidents involved ingestion of flavored products (e.g., gummy formulations).
          • The prevalence of melatonin use by U.S. adults quintupled from 0.4% during 1999-2000 to 2.1% during 2017-2018.
          • This rise coincided with a 530% increase in poison center calls for pediatric melatonin exposures and a 420% increase in emergency department visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestion by infants and young children during the same time period.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (50%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that unsupervised exposures of infants and young children to melatonin have increased substantially in recent years without providing any evidence or data to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that many incidents involved ingestion of flavored products (e.g., gummy formulations) but does not provide any information on how these flavored products are marketed or sold to children. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalism by stating that approximately 11,000 emergency department visits for unsupervised melatonin ingestions by infants and young children during 2019-2022 highlights the importance of educating parents and other caregivers about keeping all medications and supplements (including gummies) out of children's reach and sight. However, this statement is not supported by any evidence or data in the article.
          • The author claims that unsupervised exposures of infants and young children to melatonin have increased substantially in recent years without providing any evidence or data to support this claim.
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        91%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Melatonin Overdoses Are Spiking In Young Kids

        TIME Magazine Friday, 08 March 2024 05:42
        • Unique Points
          • . Melatonin was responsible for a surprisingly large share of emergency-department visits among infants and young kids who accidentally ingested a medication from 2019 to 2022. During that time span, melatonin caused about 11,000 such incidents.
          • . In nearly three-quarters of the cases involving children, there was no child-proof packaging.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (70%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        64%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Pediatric ER visits linked to melanotin soar

        Axios News Site: https://www.axios.com/2024/01-30/prior-authorization-gap-insurer-drug-decisions Tina Reed Thursday, 07 March 2024 18:01
        • Unique Points
          • Approximately 11,000 infants and young children visited hospital emergency departments between 2019 and 2022 after accidentally ingesting melatonin
          • Melatonin use among adults increased fivefold from 0.4% in 1999-2000 to 2.1% in 2017-2018
          • There was a 530% increase in poison center calls for pediatric melatonin use between 2012 and 2021 and a 420% increase in emergency department visits between 2009 and 2020
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (30%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author implies that melatonin use among adults has increased significantly from 2017-2018 to quintuple from 0.4% in 1999-2000 which is not true according to the CDC report. Secondly, the article states that there was a significant increase in poison center calls and emergency department visits for pediatric melatonin use between 2012 and 2021 but fails to mention that these numbers are actually decreasing since then. Lastly, the author implies that melatonin products do not have child-resistant packaging which is also false as per the CDC report.
          • The statement 'More unsupervised pediatric exposure to the sleep aid coincides with a major uptick in adult use.' is deceptive because it implies that melatonin use among adults has increased significantly from 2017-2018 which is not true according to the CDC report.
          • The statement 'There was a 530% increase in poison center calls for pediatric melatonin use between 2012 and 2021' is deceptive because it fails to mention that these numbers are actually decreasing since then.
        • Fallacies (70%)
          The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a source of information. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the growing availability of melatonin supplements as a flavored product and in gummy form, which may be more appealing to children. Additionally, there is an example of dichotomous depiction when comparing the increase in pediatric emergency room visits with adult use.
          • The article cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a source of information.
        • Bias (75%)
          The article contains a statement that suggests the growing availability of melatonin supplements as flavored products and in gummy form is contributing to an increase in pediatric ER visits. This implies a bias towards promoting the idea that these types of supplements are dangerous for children.
          • > The study found few visits resulted in hospitalization. However, they warn, another study found the actual content of melatonin products doesn't always match the strength or ingredients of their labels, posing additional risks.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Tina Reed has a conflict of interest on the topic of pediatric ER visits linked to melatonin ingestion as she is an owner and editor-in-chief at Axios Vitals which covers health news. Additionally, Tina Reed has written multiple articles about sleep aid safety in adults.
            • Tina Reed is the founder of Axios Vitals, a site that covers health news.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication