title: Is newborn melatonin production influenced by magnetic fields produced by incubators?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During permanence in most incubators, newborns are very close to the electric engine, which represents a source of electromagnetic fields (EMF). Previous studies demonstrated a decrease in melatonin production in adults and animals exposed to EMF.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess melatonin production in a group of newborns exposed to EMF, and to evaluate whether removing the babies from the source of MF can affect melatonin production.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have recruited 28 babies (study group), who had spent at least 48 h in incubator where we had previously assessed the presence of significant EMF. We have measured their mean 6-hydroxy-melatonin-sulfate (6OHMS) urine excretion at the end of their permanence in the incubators, and compared it with their mean 6OHMS excretion after having been put in cribs, where EMF are below the detectable limit (<0.1mG). We have also measured urine 6OHMS twice, with an interval of 48h, in a control group of 27 babies who were not exposed to EMF during both samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean 6OHMS/cr values were respectively 5.34±4.6 and 7.68±5.1ng/mg (p=0.026) when babies were exposed to EMF in incubators, and after having been put in the crib. In the control group, mean 6OHMS/cr values in the first and in the second sample were respectively 5.91±5.41 vs 6.17±3.94ng/mg (p=0.679).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transitory increase in melatonin production soon after removing newborns from incubators demonstrates a possible influence of EMF on melatonin production in newborns. Further studies are needed to confirm these data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproduction Medicine, University of Siena, Viale M. Bracci 16, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo Valerio
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Bellieni
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tei
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iacoponi
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tataranno
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negro
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longini
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buonocore
mesh_terms: D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin