Comparing Preterm and Term Newborns Serum Adiponectin and Leptin Concentrations and their Correlations with Anthropometric Parameters

Abstract

Introduction: Serum adipocytokines concentration, their mutual relationship and correlations with anthropometric data could be indicators of fetal and neonatal growth maturity level in term and preterm infants. Objectives: Study was designed to assess the correlation of the anthropometric parameters with leptin and adiponectin levels in healthy preterm and term newborns. Design and Methods: A cohort of 110 neonates of both sexes, born pre term (PT) (n=36) or at term (AT) (n=74), additionally classified as AT-AGA (n=36), AT-SGA (n=18), AT-LGA (n=20) and PT-AGA (n=24), PT-SGA (n=12), according to the Lubchenco curves Mother Body Mass Index-MBMI, Birth Weight-BW, Birth Length-BL, Body Weight/Body Length ratio-BW/BL, Body Mass Index-BMI, Ponderal Index-PI, was recorded after birth. Results: Sex has no influence on mean serum leptin and adiponectin level. However, differences between AT and PT groups were highly (p<0.01) significant (2.20 ± 1.02; 30.77 ± 22.64 and 1.24 ± 0.35; 9.44 ± 4.82 ng/mL, respectively). Significant difference was found in adiponectin levels between ATAGA and AT-LGA compared to AT-SGA subgroup (32.8 ± 25.41 and 43.40 ± 16.98 vs 12.67 ± 2.45 ng/ mL, respectively, (p<0.01; p<0.01). There was a significant difference between leptin levels (1.93 ± 0.70; 1.71 ± 0.53 vs 3.12 ± 1.27 ng/mL) in AT-AGA and AT-SGA compared to AT-LGA newborns, respectively, (p<0.01; p<0.01). No significant differences were found in leptin and adiponectin levels neather between PT subgroups (1.30 ± 0.38 ng/mL) nor between PT group and AT-SGA (1.71 ± 0.53 ng/mL) subgroup. Leptin and adiponectin levels were positively correlated with all anthropometric parameters: BW, BL, BW/BL, BMI, and PI (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that the stage of body growth maturity is positively correlated to adipocytokines involved in fetal growth regulation.