PC19 LEPTIN IN BREAST-FED AND FORMULA-FED INFANTS

Abstract

Introduction: It has been shown that breast-feeding reduces the risk of obesity. Leptin, present in human milk but not in formula, could play a role. Breast milk leptin provides a physiologic explanation for a number of the advantages seen in reaching proper growth, regulation of energy intake and immunological status in breast-fed compared with formula-fed infants. Aim: To evaluate leptin levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Methods: We studied 186 AGA healthy infants, in the first 22 months, without any disease of the gastrointestinal tract, admitted to our Department during the period between June 2000 and August 2003. Serum leptin concentration has been determined at least 3 h post-feeding by RIA test (LEP-R44 Mediagnostic, Re-utlingen, Germany). For each infant the parents have filled up a form for the Ethical Committee. Statistical Analysis: Student t-test was performed. Statistical significance has been set at p<0.05. Our data have been normalized with natural logarithm. Results: A significant difference (p=0.044) has appeared in the first 4 month (n=82) between breast-fed (BF) (1,16 ± 0,99 ng/ml) and formula-fed (FF) (0,68 ± 1,11 ng/ml) infants. There weren’t any differences between breast-fed (n=21) and formula-fed (n=15) between 4 and 8 months of age (BF: 0,73 ± 1,03 ng/ml; FF: 0,55 ± 0,84 ng/ml). Similar results have been found in infants between 8 and 12 months (n=32; BF: 0,27 ± 1,01 ng/ml; FF: 0,71 ± 0,87 ng/ml). Conclusion: Conclusions: According to the data of literature, leptin levels were higher in breast-fed infants than in formula-fed ones. As observed by O’Connor, breast-fed infants fed more frequently and took in less per feed as compared with formula-fed infants. This report suggest the presence of leptin in breast milk has a positive effect on satiety and regulation of energy intake.