Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a potentially deadly disorder in which the circulation of the fetus is unable to adjust to the extrauterine environment. Persistently high pulmonary pressures may cause right-to-left shunting, hypoxia, and right ventricular failure.
Melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, offers an exceptional defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Infants are unable to synthesize melatonin during their first few weeks of life, which may exacerbate oxidative stress in hypoxic conditions. Additionally, Melatonin's antioxidative capabilities have been shown in neonatal pulmonary and respiratory disorders.
