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Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(05): 481-485
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608681
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Comparison of Melatonin Levels in the Colostrum between Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Delivery

Müberra Namlı Kalem
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liv Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
,
Ziya Kalem
2   Gurgan Clinic Women's Health, Infertility and IVF Center, Ankara, Turkey
,
Tuncay Yuce
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Batuhan Bakırarar
4   Department of Biostatistics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Feride Söylemez
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 March 2017

10 October 2017

Publication Date:
22 November 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Objective This study aims to compare melatonin levels in colostrum between vaginal and cesarean delivery.

Study Design This cross-sectional study was conducted with 139 mothers who gave live births between February 2016 and December 2016. The mothers were divided into three groups according to the mode of delivery: 60 mothers (43.2%) in the vaginal delivery group, 47 mothers (33.8%) in the elective cesarean delivery, and 32 mothers (23.0%) in the emergency cesarean delivery group. Colostrum of the mothers was taken between 01:00 and 03:00 a.m. within 48 to 72 hours following the delivery, and the melatonin levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between the groups.

Results The melatonin levels in the colostrum were the highest in the vaginal delivery group, lower in the elective cesarean section group, and the lowest in the emergency cesarean group (265.7 ± 74.3, 204.9 ± 55.6, and 167.1 ± 48.1, respectively; p < 0.001). The melatonin levels in the colostrum did not differ according to the demographic characteristics of the mothers, gestational age, birth weight, newborn sex, the Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) scores, and for the requirement for neonatal intensive care.

Conclusion Our study results showed that melatonin levels in the colostrum of the mothers who delivered vaginally were higher than those who delivered by cesarean section. Considering the known benefits of melatonin for the newborns, we believe that vaginal delivery poses an advantage.

Keywords

melatonin - colostrum - breast-milk - vaginal delivery - cesarean section

Note

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the Ethical Standards of the Institutional Research Committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or relevant Ethical Standards. An informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.