Melatonin use soars among children, with unknown risks

Nearly one in five school-aged children and preteens now take melatonin for sleep, and some parents routinely give the hormone to preschoolers, according to new research from CU Boulder published in JAMA Pediatrics. This concerns the authors, who note that safety and efficacy data surrounding the products are slim, as such dietary supplements lack full regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.