22,000 children prescribed sleep medication

In 2023, 21,827 individuals under 18 in Denmark were prescribed sleep medication, a 14% increase from the previous year. The majority, 98%, were prescribed melatonin, which saw a 15% increase from 2022 to 2023. Use of other sleep medications like benzodiazepine-like drugs and Promethazin dropped by 10 and 20 percent, respectively. Melatonin, a hormone that affects sleep and circadian rhythm, is often used in children with sleep disturbances related to psychiatric conditions such as ADHD and autism. Of the nearly 22,000 children, 5,667 had no diagnosis, while others had various psychological conditions. Due to the significant decade-long rise in melatonin use, Danish Health Authority issued new recommendations in November 2022 for treating sleep disorders with melatonin, emphasizing the trial of sleep hygiene practices before medication.