The major brain lesions associated with cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment in preterm infants are periventricular white matter damage (WMD). At the present time, despite major improvements in neonatal care, there are no established therapeutic regimens for the treatment of brain lesions in preterms. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland; melatonin's neuroprotective action has been well documented in animal experimental models. Neuroprotection is believed to stem from its direct free radical scavenging, indirect antioxidant activities.