Evaluation of serum melatonin levels in preeclampsia - a case control study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum melatonin levels in term pre-eclampsia (PE) subjects and compare it with normotensive healthy term pregnant women. Methodology: The study was conducted between November 2018 and April 2020. As per sample size calculation, 50 cases and 50 controls were enrolled in the study, matched for age, race and gestational age. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethical Committee for human research. Night time (2 am) samples were taken. Analysis was done by ELISA test. Day time samples were also taken in cases to compare day and night time serum melatonin levels. Results: Mean value of serum melatonin level was lower in patients with preeclampsia (93.18±61.5pg/mL) in Indian population as compared to controls (109.18±69.86pg/mL), though not statistically significant (p=0.446). On plotting ROC curve for predicting severe PE we found that melatonin level with cut off of 96.9pg/mL had AUC of 0.88 and was statistically significant. Severe PE (47.32±26.88pg/mL) had significantly (p=0.001) lower serum melatonin level when compared to non-severe PE (123.76±59.16pg/mL). Significantly lower value of melatonin was observed (p<0.01) in HELLP variety of PE. No significant difference was seen in melatonin levels between early and late onset PE. Conclusion: PE had lower levels of melatonin compared to controls and severe PE even had significantly lower melatonin levels compared to non-severe PE and controls.

Keywords

• pre-eclampsia
• melatonin