Cord blood leptin concentrations in relation to intrauterine growth

OBJECTIVE: Leptin, a hormone that signals the amount of energy stores to the brain, has recently been shown to play a role in the regulation of several hypothalamic pituitary axes, including the growth hormone axis. To investigate a potential association between cord blood leptin concentrations and intrauterine growth we measured leptin concentrations in the cord blood of small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) healthy newborns. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Cord blood leptin concentrations were evaluated in 25 SGA, 100 AGA, and 45 LGA, neonates. RESULTS: Leptin was detectable in all newborns in concentrations comparable with those found in adults. Moreover, SGA newborns had lower leptin concentrations (3.70 +/- 1.81 micrograms/l) than AGA (5.65 +/- 4.98 micrograms/l) and LGA newborns (11.99 +/- 7.06 micrograms/ l)(P < 0.01). Cord blood leptin concentrations were significantly associated with ponderal index, cord blood insulin concentrations, placental weight and maternal serum leptin concentrations. Importantly, the association between cord blood leptin concentrations and intrauterine growth status persisted after adjusting for adiposity, placental weight, maternal serum leptin concentrations and cord blood insulin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Cord blood leptin concentrations are independently associated with intrauterine growth. Future studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanism and clarify the role of leptin in regulating growth and controlling appetite in newborns.