Could exogenous melatonin prevent sudden infant death syndrome?
Hypoplastic pineal glands and decreased melatonin levels are found in sudden infant death syndrome. Excess oxygen radical production and inadequate radical quenching is suggested to cause oxidative stress in the brain of sudden infant death syndrome victims. Loss of intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid melatonin could play an important role in the disease process. Infants at risk might be protected by exogenous melatonin.
Maurizi
C P
CP
Department of Pathology, Houston Medical Center, Warner Robins, GA 31093, USA.
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D008550:Melatonin