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Is Melatonin Safe For Kids?
Question: my daughter is 3 and a half and i have alot of difficulties getting her to wind down and go to bed at night. She doesn't nap during the day and usually awakens at 9am regardless of when she goes to bed. I've done all i could to get her on a normal sleep schedule but nothing is working... i have a friend who told me to use melatonin she claims she uses that with her children and its safe for kids. I've done my research on it and read up on mixed reviews. some say it is okay, some say its bad. would you think giving my child melatonin would be bad for her???
Brief Answer:
Yes it will be really bad for her and isn't recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you!
Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and I can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I assure you not to worry as I will take care all of your medical concerns.
It isn't recommended to give your daughter Melatonin (a hormone naturally secreted by the Pineal gland in brain).
It is never recommended to disturb the natural circadian rhythm of the kids with exogenous chemical hormones. Actually when we instill something from outside the body (artificially made chemicals) they interfere the feedback control mechanisms of the brain's glands production houses and may have devastating dangerous effects.
If you give melatonin to you beloved daughter, her own Pineal gland in the brain will stop secreting the melatonin due to the negative feedback mechanism that will tell the brain that there is already enough melatonin in the system and we don't need to produce new melatonin. Brain will shut down your daughter's Pineal gland factory of chemicals and all system of body's natural circadian rhythm will be disrupted badly.
It will have long term difficulties for her in life ahead.
I never recommend doing this with her for any reason. Yes, if there is a diagnostic laboratory test confirming the low levels of melatonin, then an Endocrinologist after in-person evaluation of your daughter may recommend to prescribe melatonin supplementation for her.
Hope I answered all of your health concerns . If you have further questions, feel free to contact me anytime. Always write my name in start of your question in future, and I will get back to you in no time. If satisfied, please give your generous 'five Star rating' and don't forget to 'Close the discussion'.
Have a wonderful time ahead.
Best Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
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https://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-hanif/70199
Yes it will be really bad for her and isn't recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you!
Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and I can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I assure you not to worry as I will take care all of your medical concerns.
It isn't recommended to give your daughter Melatonin (a hormone naturally secreted by the Pineal gland in brain).
It is never recommended to disturb the natural circadian rhythm of the kids with exogenous chemical hormones. Actually when we instill something from outside the body (artificially made chemicals) they interfere the feedback control mechanisms of the brain's glands production houses and may have devastating dangerous effects.
If you give melatonin to you beloved daughter, her own Pineal gland in the brain will stop secreting the melatonin due to the negative feedback mechanism that will tell the brain that there is already enough melatonin in the system and we don't need to produce new melatonin. Brain will shut down your daughter's Pineal gland factory of chemicals and all system of body's natural circadian rhythm will be disrupted badly.
It will have long term difficulties for her in life ahead.
I never recommend doing this with her for any reason. Yes, if there is a diagnostic laboratory test confirming the low levels of melatonin, then an Endocrinologist after in-person evaluation of your daughter may recommend to prescribe melatonin supplementation for her.
Hope I answered all of your health concerns . If you have further questions, feel free to contact me anytime. Always write my name in start of your question in future, and I will get back to you in no time. If satisfied, please give your generous 'five Star rating' and don't forget to 'Close the discussion'.
Have a wonderful time ahead.
Best Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Click the link to open my profile. Click 'Ask Me a Question' anytime for super fast expert medical help!!!
https://www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-muhammad-hanif/70199
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