Neonatal Adipocytokines and Longitudinal Patterns of Childhood Growth.

Abstract

ObjectiveAdipocytokines are markers of fetal metabolism, but their association with childhood growth is unclear. This study examined associations of neonatal adipocytokines with longitudinal childhood adiposity measures in a prospective cohort of pregnant women and their children.MethodsWe measured leptin and adiponectin concentrations at delivery and children’s body mass index (BMI) z-scores between ages 4 weeks and 8 years. We estimated differences in BMI z-scores and rates of BMI z-score change by leptin (N = 257) and adiponectin (N = 271) terciles.ResultsChildren in the middle (mean difference: 0.2; 95% CI: −0.1, 0.4) and highest (0.4; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.6) leptin terciles had greater BMI z-scores than children in the lowest tercile. Associations were null after adjustment for birthweight z-score. Children in the lowest adiponectin tercile had greater gains in BMI z-score (change per year: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.13) than children in the middle (0.07; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.09) and highest terciles (0.04; 95% CI: −0.01, 0.05) (adiponectin x age interaction P < 0.001).ConclusionsLower adiponectin levels were associated with increased rates of BMI gains in the first 8 years of life. While leptin was positively associated with BMI, this association may be confounded by birthweight.