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Circulating Irisin Levels in Preadolescents and Adolescents Born Preterm

Arsinoi Koutroumpa1, Christina Kanaka Gantenbein2, Aimilia Mantzou2

  • 1Second Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|December 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Preterm-born children show lower irisin levels and increased central adiposity compared to full-term peers. These findings suggest a potential link between prematurity, irisin, and future cardiometabolic risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Adipokine Research

Background:

  • Prematurity is a known risk factor for later-life cardiometabolic diseases.
  • Irisin, an adipomyokine, influences energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
  • Understanding irisin's role in preterm-born children is crucial for early risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare circulating irisin levels in preterm-born versus full-term-born children.
  • To investigate the relationship between irisin and anthropometric/cardiometabolic markers in these groups.
  • To assess potential differences in adiposity and metabolic profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 160 children (87 preterm, 73 full-term) aged 8.1-14.8 years.
  • Evaluated blood pressure, anthropometry, body composition (DXA), and skinfold measurements.
  • Measured blood biochemistry, including irisin, insulin, cortisol, leptin, and adiponectin.

Main Results:

  • Preterm group exhibited higher diastolic blood pressure and central adiposity markers (SSSF, abdominal skinfold).
  • Significantly lower irisin levels (p=0.002) and higher leptin (p=0.03) were observed in preterm children.
  • Irisin correlated positively with gestational age, birth weight, HDL-C, and negatively with SSSF and chronological age.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm-born children displayed lower irisin levels and an unfavorable adiposity/cardiometabolic pattern.
  • Further research is needed to determine if low irisin in premature adolescents predicts future cardiometabolic issues.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdiposityCardiometabolic riskIrisinMetabolic syndromePreterm birth

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