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Circulating growth-and-differentiation factor-15 in early life: relation to prenatal and postnatal growth and
Marta Díaz1,2, Laura Campderrós1,3,4, Mariana P Guimaraes3
1Pediatric Research Institute Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08950, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Growth-and-differentiation-factor-15 (GDF15) levels are high in early infancy, dropping to adult levels by 24 months. Lower GDF15 in small-for-gestational-age infants may promote weight gain and increase later obesity risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Metabolic health research
- Growth factor signaling
Background:
- Growth-and-differentiation-factor-15 (GDF15) regulates energy homeostasis.
- Infants born small-for-gestational-age (SGA) face heightened metabolic alteration risks.
- Rapid postnatal weight gain in SGA infants is a key concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between circulating GDF15 and metabolic health parameters.
- To longitudinally assess GDF15 concentrations in infants.
- To compare GDF15 levels in appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and SGA infants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 103 infants (70 AGA, 33 SGA) was studied.
- Longitudinal assessments included anthropometry, glucose, insulin, IGF-I, adiponectin, and GDF15.
- Body composition was measured by absorptiometry at birth and at 4, 12, and 24 months.
Main Results:
- GDF15 levels were highest at birth, similar in AGA and SGA infants, and decreased over time.
- GDF15 concentrations dropped significantly by 4 months, especially in SGA infants.
- GDF15 levels correlated inversely with ponderal index, IGF-I, and body fat changes.
Conclusions:
- Early life is characterized by supra-adult GDF15 concentrations.
- Lower GDF15 in SGA infants might be adaptive for catch-up growth.
- Reduced early GDF15 may elevate the risk of future obesity in SGA individuals.
Background:
Growth-and-differentiation-factor-15 (GDF15) is a regulator of energy homeostasis. To determine the relationship between circulating GDF15 and parameters of metabolic health, we assessed longitudinally GDF15 concentrations in infants born either appropriate- (AGA) or small-for-gestational-age (SGA), the latter population known to be at risk for metabolic alterations, particularly after a rapid postnatal catch-up in weight.
Methods:
The study cohort consisted of 103 infants (70 AGA and 33 SGA). Assessments included body length, weight, and ponderal index (PI); fasting glucose, insulin, IGF-I, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, GDF15; and body composition (by absorptiometry) at birth, and at age 4, 12 and 24 months.
Results:
GDF15 levels at birth were significantly higher than those at each subsequent time point and were similar in AGA and SGA subjects. GDF15 concentrations dropped at age 4 months, more substantially in SGA infants, and continued to decline in both subgroups reaching adult concentrations by age 24 months. GDF15 levels correlated inversely with the changes in PI, IGF-I and body fat throughout follow-up.
Conclusions:
Early life is associated with supra-adult concentrations of GDF15. The lower levels of GDF15 in SGA subjects may be an adaptive mechanism to promote catch-up in weight and might increase the risk for obesity later in life.
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