Melatonin and mental capacities in newborn infants.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of melatonin in the emergence of mental capacities in the newborn infant.

STUDY

DESIGN

Assessment of Preterm Infant Behavior examination was performed at 2 weeks post-term age for 39 (21 preterm and 18 term) infants. 6-Suphatoxymelatonin from nocturnal urine samples was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the Mental Developmental Index, assessed by Bayley scales, was correlated at 4, 6, and 9 months' corrected age.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that improved autonomic function at 2 weeks of age was associated with higher Mental Developmental Index scores at 9 months when related to the amount of melatonin at 4, 6, and 9 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Early compromised autonomic system function in preterm infants is associated with lower mental capacities and is related to lower melatonin levels at later ages.