•  
  •  
 

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective This study aims to compare serum leptin level in preterm and full-term newborns in relation to clinical findings. Background Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells that regulates the amount of fat stored in the body. Fetal and infant nutrition and growth have previously been correlated with disease in adulthood. The inadequate fat tissue in premature infants and infants with intrauterine growth restriction leads to impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Recent studies refer development of obesity, insulin resistance, and other metabolic disturbances later in life in patients born preterm or small for gestational age. Only few studies have been published regarding preterm infants and correlation of circulating leptin levels with birth weight and other anthropometric parameters. Patients and methods This is a follow-up (prospective) study included 40 neonates. All candidates had measurements of serum leptin level. Results The data show that there is a positive significant correlation between cord blood leptin level and gestational age, weight, and length. During the follow-up of neonates, we found that weight gain was significantly higher in formula-feeding compared with breastfeeding neonates. There was a positive significant correlation between cord blood leptin level and birth length. There was no significant difference between neonates delivered by normal vaginal delivery and those by cesarean birth and no difference between male and female. Conclusion The lower cord blood leptin levels were seen to be associated with a lower birth weight, but with a more weight gain in early infancy.

Download

Share

COinS