Early Oral Melatonin Supplementation Supports White Matter Maturation in Preterm Infants: Neuroprotective Insights of an Antioxidant Molecule - PubMed
2 days ago
- #Melatonin Supplementation
- #White Matter Maturation
- #Preterm Infants
- Early oral melatonin supplementation was studied in preterm infants to assess its impact on white matter maturation and oxidative stress.
- The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 54 preterm infants (≤29 weeks + 6 days), with melatonin or placebo given for 15 days post-birth.
- No significant differences were found in major neonatal comorbidities (PDA, sepsis, NEC, BPD, ROP) or in cranial ultrasound and clinical assessments (GMs, NNNS, NAVEG scale).
- MRI results showed a higher total brain maturity score in melatonin-treated infants, with advanced white matter and subplate compartment maturation, and higher T1-weighted/T2-weighted ratios in major white matter tracts.
- A positive trend linked reduced serum malondialdehyde levels (indicating lower lipid peroxidation) at melatonin treatment end to higher T1-weighted/T2-weighted ratios in pyramidal bundles at term-equivalent age.
- Findings suggest early oral melatonin may support cerebral white matter maturation in preterm infants through antioxidant mechanisms, warranting further large-scale trials.