Efficacy and safety of melatonin in newborn infants

Newborns are prone to oxidative stress. Melatonin is an endogenously produced antioxidant with a broad spectrum of antioxidative functions. Studies related to the toxicity of melatonin have not uncovered evidence of toxicity in humans even when given in very high doses. Several clinical studies were the first to demonstrate that the melatonin reduces oxidative stress in newborns with asphyxia, sepsis, distress or surgical stress. This paper reviews the use of melatonin in the newborns for the treatment of many conditions where there is excessive ROS production.