MELATONIN AND CHILDREN'S SLEEP: SAFE SOLUTION OR RISKY STRATEGY?

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep is essential for child development, influencing cognitive, emotional, and metabolic functions. Melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, has been widely used for managing sleep disorders in children, despite concerns regarding its long-term safety and effectiveness. Objective: To evaluate, through an integrative review, the latest scientific evidence on the use of melatonin in treating sleep disorders in children, analyzing its efficacy and safety. Methodology: The research was conducted in January 2025 in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases using the keywords "Melatonin” AND “Children” AND “Sleep". Articles published in the last five years in Portuguese, English, or Spanish were included, excluding studies on children with neurodevelopmental disorders. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were analyzed. Results and Discussion: Melatonin was effective in reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep duration in children without neurodevelopmental disorders. However, uncertainties remain about its impact on puberty and bone health, as well as variability in results across age groups. Conclusion: Melatonin may be a useful therapeutic alternative but should be used with caution. Further studies are needed to determine its long-term safety and establish evidence-based guidelines.