Placenta may be a melatonin factory in pregnancy, tiny study hints
NCT ID NCT03609086
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether the placenta produces the high levels of melatonin seen in late pregnancy. Researchers measured melatonin in the blood of 15 women before and after a planned C-section, and in the umbilical cord and placenta. The goal was to understand where the melatonin comes from and if it could one day be used to spot pregnancy problems like pre-eclampsia.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help understand why melatonin rises in pregnancy and whether it can be used as a marker for pregnancy complications.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 15 women, so results may not apply to all pregnancies. It only measures levels, not treatments.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Aberdeen Maternity Hospital
Ellon, Lowland Scotland, AB25 2ZB, United Kingdom
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University of Aberdeen/NHS Grampian
Aberdeen, If Already Stated Select NOT Listed, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom