Melatonin and Artificial Light: Effects on Maternal and Fetal Health During Pregnancy
Abstract
Introduction: The placenta produces melatonin during pregnancy, a hormone essential for circadian regulation and maternal-fetal metabolic, hormonal, and immunological modulation. Throughout pregnancy, melatonin production increases progressively, being synthesized by both the pineal gland and the placenta. Since exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) reduces pineal melatonin secretion, it is hypothesized that light pollution may negatively impact women's health, maternal health, and fetal development due to the inhibition of both pineal and placental synthesis.
Material and methods: This study aimed to analyze the role of melatonin during pregnancy and the effects of exposure to ALAN on maternal-fetal health. The following search terms ("blue light" OR "ALAN" OR "melatonin") AND ("pregnancy") were applied to Title/Abstract, with the following filters: (i) clinical trials, randomized trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and case reports; (ii) publications between 2015 and 2025; (iii) studies involving human subjects and nonhuman animal models; (iv) female population; (v) languages: English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Information from the selected articles was extracted and organized into tables, separately for studies in humans and animals (mice and rabbits).
Results: Exposure to ALAN reduces melatonin production and is associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes, including reduced fertility, sleep disturbances, preterm birth, metabolic alterations,…
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