Leptin levels in children with malnutrition
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Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Resky Devi Akib1, Aminuddin Aminuddin2, Firdaus Hamid3
1Department of Midwifery, Graduate School, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia.
Objective:
This study aimed at comparing serum levels of leptin in children with malnutrition and good nutritional status.
Method:
This cross-sectional study included 41 participants consisting of 31 malnutrition, 10 well-nourished children aged between 36 and 60 months. Demographic data of participants were obtained utilizing a questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by calculating the Z-score of body weight for age, height for age, and body weight for height indices using the WHO classification. Leptin levels were determined by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) method.
Results:
Median serum leptin level for malnutrition children were found to be lower, i.e., 9.23 (6.02-197.2) ng/mL compared to well-nourished children 30.95 (6.02-89.36) ng/mL.
Conclusion:
Serum leptin levels can be used as indicators to assess nutritional status.
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