Do Birth Variable Data Predict Melatonin Production in 8- to 9-Year-Old Children? Analysis of Excreted 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin

Griefahn, Barbara; Blaszkewicz, Meinolf; Bröde, Peter

doi:10.1159/000080072

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6SaMT) excretion is impaired in adults who were growthrestricted prenatally or were born after 40 weeks' gestation [19] . The urinary excretion of 6SaMT, which is found in young adults but not in children [20] , suggests there is a relation between melatonin production and body size at birth. The mean daily excretion of 6SaMT was significantly lower in response to an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) than in normal infants and siblings of sudden infant death syndrome victims.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Melatonin Levels during the First Week of Life and Their Relation with the Antioxidant Response in the Perinatal Period

et al. 2007

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Aim: Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger and an indirect antioxidant. Knowledge about the behavior of melatonin secretion in the early neonatal period, which may relate to its properties at a vital stage during very high antioxidant demands, is limited. Patients and Methods: We studied 35 newborns admitted to the Neonatal Unit with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and with no signs of sepsis, severe anemia, hemodynamic compromise or malformation. The gestational age of the newborns was 26–40 weeks (mean value 32.5 weeks) and the weight at birth was 870–4,400 g (mean value 1,800 g). They were classified into two groups: ≤1,500 g or >1,500 g birthweight. In all cases, at 09:00 h on their 1st, 3rd and 7th days of life, serum melatonin was measured by RIA. The clinical history was recorded and treatment and follow-up were performed according to established neonatology practice, and the resultant data recorded. Informed consent from the parents or guardians was obtained in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA-II (factor I: day of sample; factor II: birthweight). Results: There were significant increases in melatonin levels with increasing birthweight (p = 0.017), but no changes by day of sample. Although in both study groups melatonin levels increased during the first few days this was not statistically significant. Conclusions: In newborns of low birthweight, we report high melatonin concentrations in the morning and during the first week of life. These increase with maturation, and at full-term were similar to nocturnal levels during the acrophase of pineal gland secretion in toddlers and schoolage children, when pineal gland secretion is maximal and takes place reflecting environmental variations. In the early neonatal period these high levels of melatonin seem to derive from extrapineal sources, which mature to provide antioxidant protection in accordance with other elements of the antioxidant network to compensate for the high levels of oxidative stress that are present in the perinatal period.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Melatonin Levels during the First Week of Life and Their Relation with the Antioxidant Response in the Perinatal Period

et al. 2007

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“…Additionally, urinary 6‐sulphatoxylmelatonin (a melatonin metabolite) (6SaMT) excretion is impaired in adults who were growth restricted prenatally or were born after 40 wk of gestation [151]. The urinary excretion of 6SaMT, which is measurable in children but not in newborns [156, 157], suggests there is a relation between melatonin production and body size at birth. The mean daily excretion of 6SaMT was significantly lower in response to an apparent life‐threatening event than in normal infants and siblings of sudden infant death syndrome victims.…”

Section: Melatonin As An Antioxidantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidative stress of the newborn in the pre‐ and postnatal period and the clinical utility of melatonin

Gitto

Pellegrino

Gitto

et al. 2009

Journal of Pineal Research

263

219

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: Newborns, and especially those delivered preterm, are probably more prone to oxidative stress than individuals later in life. Also during pregnancy, increased oxygen demand augments the rate of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and women, even with normal pregnancies, experience elevated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation compared with nonpregnant women. Also, there appears to be an increase in ROS generation in the placenta of pre‐eclamptic women. In comparison with healthy adults, newborn infants have lower levels of plasma antioxidants such as vitamin E, β‐carotene, and sulphydryl groups, lower levels of plasma metal binding proteins including ceruloplasmin and transferrin, and reduced activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase. This review summarizes conditions of newborns where there is elevated oxidative stress. Included in this group of conditions is asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis and the review also summarizes the literature related to clinical trials of antioxidant therapies and of melatonin, a highly effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. The authors document there is general agreement that short‐term melatonin therapy may be highly effective and that it has a remarkably benign safety profile, even when neonates are treated with pharmacological doses. Significant complications with long‐term melatonin therapy in children and adults also have not been reported. None of the animal studies of maternal melatonin treatment or in postnatal life have shown any treatment‐related side effects. The authors conclude that treatment with melatonin might result in a wide range of health benefits, improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs and may help reduce complications in the neonatal period.

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“…Additionally, urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (a melatonin metabolite) (6SaMT) excretion by the kidney is impaired in adults who were growth restricted prenatally or were born after 40 wk of gestation. The urinary excretion of 6SaMT, which is measurable in children but not in newborns [72], suggests there is some relation between melatonin production and body size at birth. The mean daily excretion of 6SaMT is significantly reduced in response to an apparent life‐threatening event (ALTE) in normal infants and siblings of sudden infant death syndrome victims.…”

Section: Utility Of Melatonin In the Newbornmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on the use of melatonin in pediatrics

Gitto

Aversa

Reíter

et al. 2010

Journal of Pineal Research

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: Melatonin, an endogenously produced indoleamine, is a highly effective antioxidant, free radical scavenger, and a primary circadian regulator. Melatonin has important antioxidant properties owing to direct and indirect effects. It directly scavenges reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, prevents molecular oxidation, improves mitochondrial physiology, and restores glutathione homeostasis. Its indirect antioxidant effects stem from its ability to stimulate the activities of the enzymes involved in the glutathione cycling and production. Melatonin, by reducing free radical damage, may be an effective protective agent for the fetus as it is in adults. Several clinical studies on melatonin have shown that it reduces oxidative stress in human newborns with sepsis, hypoxic distress, or other conditions, where there is excessive free radical generation. A role of melatonin in infant development has also been suggested. Pineal dysfunction may be associated with deleterious outcomes in infants and may contribute to an increased prevalence of sudden infant death syndrome. Delayed melatonin production is evident in infants who had experienced an apparent life‐threatening event. Melatonin has been used as a pharmacologic treatment for insomnias associated with shift work, jet lag, and delayed sleep onset in adults for decades. In children as well, melatonin has value as a sleep‐promoting agent. Evidence suggests that melatonin has utility as an analgesic agent presumably related to its ability to release β‐endorphin. The data support the notion that melatonin, or one of its analogs, might find use as an anesthetic agent in children.

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Do Birth Variable Data Predict Melatonin Production in 8- to 9-Year-Old Children? Analysis of Excreted 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin

Cited by 5 publications

References 43 publications

Melatonin Levels during the First Week of Life and Their Relation with the Antioxidant Response in the Perinatal Period

Melatonin Levels during the First Week of Life and Their Relation with the Antioxidant Response in the Perinatal Period

Oxidative stress of the newborn in the pre‐ and postnatal period and the clinical utility of melatonin

Update on the use of melatonin in pediatrics

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