CompletedPhase 2

Melatonin As an Analgesic in Preterm Neonate

Egypt40 participantsStarted 2022-08-20

Plain-language summary

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland with several important functions, including regulation of the circadian rhythms, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, accumulating evidence revealed that it also plays an important role in pain modulation through multiple mechanisms. The investigators aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect of enteral melatonin given 30 minutes before cannula insertion in preterm neonates by assessing Premature Infant pain Profile score (PIPP) before and 5 minutes after the procedure. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the relationship between procedural pain and oxidative stress, along with the effectiveness of pain management of melatonin by measuring Malondialdehyde (MDA), a well-accepted marker of oxidative stress, 60 minutes after the procedure.

Who can participate

Age range

28 Days

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm infant * less than 37 weeks gestational age * who started enteral feeding. Exclusion Criteria: * Multiple congenital anomalies. * Facial malformation. * Receiving analgesia or sedation. * Contraindication of enteral feeding. * Clinical or laboratory signs of sepsis. * Infants with high oxygen needs either on invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Evaluate the analgesic effect of melatonin in preterm

Timeframe: 5 minutes starting just before cannula insertion to 5 minutes after the procedure

Malondialdehyde (MDA), marker of oxidative stress

Timeframe: 60 minutes of the procedure

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05971485

SponsorAin Shams University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-09-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Preterm Neonate Analgesia trials