115 Adiponectin in Cord Plasma Correlates with Gestational Age

Abstract

Background: Adiponectin is an adipocte-derived hormone that improves insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin is present in cord blood of term infants, but it has not been studied in preterm infants. The effects of gestational age and fetal growth pattern on adiponectin concentration at birth are unknown. Methods: 197 newborn infants were studied. Of them 122 were born at 22–32 wk gestation (bw 455 – 2010g), and 75 at 36 – 42 wk gestation (bw 2140 – 4630g). At birth a blood sample was drawn from umbilical vein. Plasma was separated and the concentration of adiponectin was determined with ELISA (R&D Systems). Results: In the preterm infants the concentration of adiponectin ranged from 0.08 to 31.4 ìmol/L and in term infants it was 4.4 – 54.8 ìmol/L. Significant correlations existed between adiponectin and gestational age in both preterm (p< 0.0001) and term (p< 0.0001) infants. In preterm infants birthweight standard deviation score correlated with adiponectin (p= 0.0001), whereas in term infants no such relationship was found (p= 0.2). No association was found between adiponectin and ponderal index in preterm or term infants. Conclusion: At birth a strong correlation exists between the concentration adiponectin and gestational age. Adiponectin may play physiological roles in fetal development and in postnatal adaptation.