Cord Blood Levels of Spexin, Leptin, and Visfatin in Term Infants Born Small, Appropriate, and Large for Gestational Age and Their Association with Newborn Anthropometric Measurements

Abstract

Objective: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risk of future obesity and associated comorbidities. Therefore the identification of risk factors and novel biomarkers which are associated with this risk are needed for early detection and to improve preventive strategies. Spexin (SPX), a novel neuropeptide that is involved in the regulation of obesity and fat metabolism, is a candidate biomarker for predicting obesity and related comorbidities at an early age. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of SPX in term infants born small, appropriate, and large for gestational age (LGA) and its association with newborn anthropometric measurements. Methods: One hundred and twenty term newborn babies classified as SGA, appropriate for gestational age (AGA), or LGA and their mothers were included. SPX, leptin and visfatin were measured in cord blood and maternal serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Fifty-six (46.7%) neonates were girls and 64 (53.3%) were boys. The mean birth weight was 3170.70±663 g, birth length was 48.9±2.79 cm, and head circumference was 34.5±1.67 cm. Birth weights, lengths, and head circumferences of the neonates in the SGA, AGA, and LGA groups were significantly different. Cord blood SPX and leptin levels in the SGA groups were significantly lower than those of both the LGA and AGA groups. Cord blood visfatin levels were significantly lower in the AGA group than the LGA and SGA groups. Maternal SPX levels of SGA babies were significantly lower than those of the mothers in both the LGA and AGA groups, but no significant difference was observed between the SGA and LGA groups. Maternal visfatin levels of the AGA babies were significantly higher than the maternal levels of SGA and LGA groups. There was no difference in terms of maternal leptin levels. Cord blood SPX and leptin levels were positively correlated with birth weight, length and head circumference. Birth weight increased significantly in line with maternal pregestational body mass index. Conclusion: The lowest SPX levels were found in the SGA babies and cord SPX level was significantly correlated with newborn length, weight, and head circumference.

Maternal Blood Adipokines and Their Association with Fetal Growth: A Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature

“…On the same hand, Mazaki-Tovi et al compared the levels of maternal serum visfatin in 158 normal pregnancies with the levels of maternal serum visfatin levels in 55 women who delivered SGA infants and concluded that maternal visfatin levels were higher in pregnancies with SGA infants than in normal pregnancies. Pekal et al measured maternal visfatin concentration in 40 women with SGA neonates and compared it with visfatin concentration in 40 women with AGA neonates, and in contrast with the above, came to the conclusion that visfatin concentration levels were significantly lower in mothers with SGA infants than in mothers with AGA infants [ 19 , 20 , 60 ].…”

“… Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) quality assessment of the included studies [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].√: the criterion under question is met, √√: two adjusting factors were taken into consideration. …”

“… Summary of outcomes according to the adipokine investigated and the study included [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. NS: not studied.…”

The Mother–Child Dyad Adipokine Pattern: A Review of Current Knowledge

“…The knowledge concerning the leptin level in maternal–infant dyads, similar to adiponectin, is fragmentary. So far, only nine reports have presented data on the leptin levels for two different biological samples (maternal and cord plasma) [ 77 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 ], and two simultaneously characterize the leptin status in three different biological fluids: maternal plasma, cord plasma, and milk ( Table 3 ) [ 113 , 119 ].…”

“…Pekal and coworkers [ 122 ] analyzed the leptin levels in maternal and cord serum depending on birth weight and their association with the newborn’s anthropometric measurements. Pekal’s group identified significant differences in the cord serum leptin levels among the term-born small for gestational age (SGA) (3.5 ng/mL), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (6.3 ng/mL), and large for gestational age (LGA) (9.8 ng/mL) groups.…”