Journal of pineal research
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Pain in neonatal intensive care: role of melatonin as an analgesic antioxidant.
Endotracheal intubation is a common painful procedure in newborn care. Neonates are more sensitive to pain than older infants, children, and adults, and this hypersensitivity is further exacerbated in preterm neonates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of melatonin during endotracheal intubation of the newborn by using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) score. ⋯ The differences were statistically significant at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr (P < 0.001). Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12) were higher in the common sedation and analgesia group than in melatonin-treated infants at 24, 48, 72 hr and 7 days (P < 0.001). This study suggests the use of melatonin as an adjunct analgesic therapy during procedural pain, especially when an inflammatory component is involved.