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Leptin profile in neonatal gonadotropin surge and relationship between leptin and body mass index in early infancy

Sema Akcurin1, Sevtap Velipasaoglu, Gayaz Akcurin

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|March 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Leptin levels increase in infants during the first three months, but do not correlate with sex hormones during neonatal minipuberty. This suggests leptin may support infant growth rather than influencing early hormonal surges.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Hormone Regulation

Background:

  • Neonatal 'minipuberty' involves dynamic hormonal changes.
  • Leptin, a key metabolic hormone, plays a role in regulating body weight.
  • The interplay between leptin, sex hormones, and growth in early infancy is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal profile of leptin during neonatal minipuberty.
  • To examine the relationship between leptin and key sex hormones (LH, FSH, E2, TTE).
  • To assess leptin's effect on body weight gain and BMI in the first three months of life.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study of 15 male and 15 female term infants.
  • Serum leptin, LH, FSH, estradiol, and testosterone levels measured on days 3, 15, 30, and 90.
  • Anthropometric measurements and BMI recorded at each time point.

Main Results:

  • Leptin levels and BMI significantly increased in both sexes from day 3 to day 90.
  • No significant sex differences were observed in leptin levels or leptin/BMI ratios.
  • Leptin levels correlated with BMI on days 30 and 90, but not with LH, FSH, E2, or TTE.

Conclusions:

  • Leptin levels are similar between sexes in early infancy and do not appear to influence neonatal minipuberty's hormonal surge.
  • The lack of early correlation between leptin and BMI may indicate adaptive leptin resistance supporting infant catch-up growth.
Abstract

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