Effect of melatonin in reducing blood loss during and after caesarean section

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Obstetric blood loss is one of the feared complications of child birth. Blood loss during caesarean section is twice than that of vaginal delivery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of preoperative single sublingual dose of melatonin in reducing blood loss after caesarean section when comparing with placebo. Methods: The subjects of this prospective randomised placebo controlled study were 60 pregnant women who were admitted in the labour ward, in the time period from May 2019 to April 2022. Thirty patients were placed in group A as cases and thirty patients were placed in group B as control. All patients were counselled and informed consent obtained. Group A received 6 mg of sublingual Melatonin 20 minutes before skin incision and Group B received sublingual use of placebo 20 minutes before skin incision. Results: No significant difference of blood loss from incision to end of CS (328 ml vs 321 ml) - p value 0.358. Blood loss reduced from end of CS to 2 hrs PP (55 ml to 53ml) but not statistically significant. P value – 0.696 Conclusion: Melatonin, when given prophylactically 20 minutes before skin incision by sublingual route in caesarean section appears to reduce the blood loss which is statistically in significant.