Circadian Rhythms in Serum Melatonin from Infancy to Adolescence
- 1 August 1985
- journal article
- other
- Published by The Endocrine Society in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Vol. 61 (2) , 388-390
- https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-61-2-388
Abstract
The circadian rhythm of circulating melatonin was determined in 38 children, aged 1–18 yr. Serum melatonin concentrations at 2400 and 0300 h in children aged 1–5 yr were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those in older children [6–10 yr, puberty stage 1 (P1)]. Nocturnal melatonin levels also were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in PI subjects than in P2 subjects aged 9–12 yr. A further small decline was found from P2 to P4DP5 (P < 0.05). Thus, the decline in the nocturnal melatonin surge is not exclusively related to pubertal development, but begins in infancy.Keywords
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