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Serum reference values for leptin in healthy infants

Francesco Savino1, Lorenza Rossi1, Stefania Benetti1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Turin, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy.

Plos One
|November 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes crucial serum leptin reference values for infants under 18 months, finding higher levels in breast-fed babies during the first six months. These findings provide essential data for pediatric health assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatal Metabolism
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Leptin reference values are lacking for infants in early life.
  • Establishing these values is critical for pediatric health monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine serum leptin reference values for healthy infants up to 18 months.
  • Provide age- and feeding-based reference ranges for leptin concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum leptin in 317 healthy infants (2002-2012).
  • Quantile regression calculated median and 10th-90th percentiles for reference values.
  • Results were compared with an independent cohort of 110 infants.

Main Results:

  • Median serum leptin was 2.37 ng/ml overall; higher in infants <6 months (2.81 ng/ml) than older infants.
  • Breast-fed infants had significantly higher leptin levels than formula-fed infants in the first 6 months (2.63 vs. 2.12 ng/ml).
  • No significant gender difference in leptin concentration was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Established age-specific leptin reference ranges for infants up to 18 months.
  • Confirmed higher leptin in breast-fed infants during early infancy, a difference diminishing later.
  • Highlighted the importance of feeding type on infant leptin levels.
Abstract

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