Increase in melatonin usage among children sparks debate over sleep medication in Denmark

An increasing number of children and young people are turning to sleep medications, particularly melatonin, to aid their sleep, according to new statistics from the Health Data Authority. The data reveals a 14% increase in the use of sleep medication among individuals under 18 from 2022 to 2023, amounting to 21,827 children and teenagers currently using such medications.

Melatonin accounts for about 98% of these cases, as it is a hormone naturally produced by the brain that influences circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Poul Jørgen Jennum, a professor and senior physician at the Danish Center for Sleep Disorders, suggests that this upward trend does not necessarily indicate a rise in sleep disorders among children. Instead, it reflects growing awareness of sleep issues and increasing pressure on pediatricians to prescribe sleep medications.

Jennum notes that while many studies report an increase in sleep problems among children, there is no justification for using melatonin or other sleep aids, particularly for healthy children. He advises that changes to a child’s lifestyle are a more suitable approach, barring any underlying health issues.

Currently, 5,667 of the 21,827 children using sleep medication have no diagnosed conditions, while others have diagnoses such as behavioral or emotional disturbances, epilepsy, or developmental disorders.

For parents seeking to adjust their child’s lifestyle to promote better sleep, Jennum offers three recommendations: ensure a consistent sleep schedule, avoid screen use one to two hours before bedtime, and maintain a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and physical activity. Conversely, the use of benzodiazepine-like substances and Promethazine among young people has declined, although the overall number of sleep medication users has increased due to the rise in melatonin use.