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Looking for a relation between serum leptin concentration and body composition parameters in healthy term infants in
Francesco Savino1, Stefania Alfonsina Liguori, Maria Francesca Fissore
1Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it
Insights
Leptin levels in infants are linked to body composition, particularly in formula-fed babies. Breast-fed infants had higher leptin but no correlation with body composition, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Endocrinology
- Infant Body Composition
Background:
- Leptin is a key hormone regulating energy balance and body fat.
- Understanding leptin's role in early infancy is crucial for long-term health outcomes.
- Infant feeding methods (breast milk vs. formula) may influence hormonal profiles and body composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between serum leptin concentrations and body composition in healthy infants under six months.
- To compare these correlations between exclusively breast-fed and formula-fed infants.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 115 healthy infants (<6 months old).
- Serum leptin measured by radioimmunoassay.
- Body composition assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
- Multiple regression analysis employed to determine correlations.
Main Results:
- A significant relationship was found between serum leptin and body mass index in the total infant population (P = 0.042).
- Formula-fed infants showed a significant negative correlation between leptin and phase angle (P = 0.006).
- Serum leptin concentrations were higher in breast-fed infants (P = 0.002) but not correlated with body composition parameters in this group.
Conclusions:
- Leptin is related to infant body composition in early life, with distinct associations observed in formula-fed infants.
- The higher leptin levels in breast-fed infants warrant further investigation into potential differences in leptin regulation or utilization.
- Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the complex interplay between leptin, infant feeding, and body composition development.
Abstract:
We carried out a cross-sectional study of 115 healthy infants, younger than 6 months old, exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed, to investigate correlations between circulating leptin concentrations and body composition measurements. Serum leptin was evaluated with radioimmunoassay, and body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed a relationship between serum leptin and body mass index in the entire study population (P = 0.042). There was a significant negative relationship between serum leptin and phase angle (P = 0.006) in formula-fed infants. Serum leptin was positively related to subscapular skinfold thickness (P = 0.055) and negatively to reactance (P = 0.057) only in formula-fed infants, although the differences were just below significance. Serum leptin concentration was higher in breast-fed infants (P = 0.002), and was not correlated with body composition parameters. This study indicates that there is a relation between leptin and infant body composition in the first months of life, although the link needs to be explored further.
