Could melatonin be the key to calming anxious kids before surgery?

NCT ID NCT06489327

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Al-Azhar University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a dose of melatonin, a natural sleep hormone, can reduce anxiety in children before surgery. 120 kids aged 4 to 14 will receive either a low dose, a higher dose, or a placebo 90 minutes before anesthesia. The goal is to see if melatonin works as well as or better than standard sedatives, with fewer side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: melatonin
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a safer alternative to midazolam for calming children before surgery, with fewer side effects.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 120 participants. Melatonin may not reduce anxiety better than a placebo, and the optimal dose is unknown.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Al-Ayen Univerisity
RECRUITING

Madīnat Bābil, Babel, 51015, Iraq
Facualty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University
RECRUITING

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 11765, Egypt

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