Melatonin secretion across puberty: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Melatonin levels decrease with aging and substantially during puberty. Studies have presented distinct melatonin levels in patients with disorders related to their pubertal development compared to healthy controls. The discrepancy suggests that a decrease in melatonin concentrations seen during adolescence might be related to the physical, hormonal, and/or neuronal alterations that occur during the pubertal period. The aim of this review was to analyze the literature reporting melatonin levels in healthy children and adolescents during puberty, and to look for a potential relationship.
METHODS: The Medline and Embase databases were searched on November 28th 2024, including all articles published from 1974 to 2024. Moreover, in the studies eligible for full-text review, a "snowball" search based by backwards referencing was carried out to identify additional studies. This means going through the references of the eligible studies, to find potential other articles relevant for our review and met our inclusion criteria. Lastly, a meta-analysis on serum melatonin concentrations with increasing age and Tanner status was performed.
RESULTS: 21 studies were included. 12 studies found a decrease, 5 found no difference and 3 reported an increase in melatonin levels during pubertal advancement. One study could not report secretory alterations but was eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. This analysis revealed that Tanner stages were significantly associated with…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating the Evidence Base of Melatonin, Light Exposure, Exercise, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Insomnia Disorder
- Use of Melatonin and/on Ramelteon for the Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Influence of evening light exposure on polysomnographically assessed night-time sleep: A systematic review with meta-analysis
- Use of melatonin in children and adolescents with idiopathic chronic insomnia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical recommendation
- Significant potential of melatonin therapy in Parkinson’s disease – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Meta-Analysis: Melatonin for the Treatment of Primary Sleep Disorders
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.