Changes in circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin in children during the first two years of life

Abstract

Aim. Adiponectin, leptin and insulin play an important role in the control of growth and glyco-metabolic homeostasis both during pre-and post-natal life. In order to find out markers indicative of post-natal growth, we evaluated circulating levels of these growth factors in full term small for gestational age (SGA) children, during the first 2 years of life, correlating them with the auxological parameters. Methods. Fourteen SGA (8 males and 6 females) and 16 AGA (appropriate for gestional age) infants (7 males and 9 females) have been included in this study, recording length, weight, body mass index (BMI), adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels at birth. In SGA subjects, these biochemical and clinical parameters have also been evaluated at the first and at the second year of age. Results. AGA and SGA adiponectin and insulin levels at birth did not show statistically significant differences, while leptin concentrations were significantly (P=0.011) lower in SGA children (median 418.49, range 157.68-903.67 pg/mL) in comparison with AGA ones (median 811.71, range 312.50-3085.95 pg/mL). Conclusion. In conclusion, at birth adiponectin and insulin levels do not differ between AGA and SGA subjects while leptin concentrations are significantly lower in SGA infants and positively correlated to the birthweight