Breast milk leptin concentrations and infant anthropometric indicators in SGA versus non-SGA breastfed infants born
Sara Brunetto1, Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi1,2,3, Isabel Cristina Ribas Werlang1
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil.
Insights
Breast milk leptin influences infant growth. In small for gestational age (SGA) infants, leptin correlated with subscapular skinfold (SSF) at six months. In non-SGA infants, leptin correlated with BMI-for-age (BMI/A) at three and six months.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Human Physiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Leptin in breast milk plays a role in infant metabolic programming.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns exhibit distinct postnatal growth trajectories, potentially increasing risks for adult diseases.
- Understanding the impact of breast milk leptin on infant growth is crucial for early life health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal breast milk leptin concentrations and infant anthropometric indicators in SGA and non-SGA groups.
- To compare leptin levels in breast milk between SGA and non-SGA infants.
- To explore the relationship between breast milk leptin and infant growth parameters (BMI/A, TSF, SSF) at three and six months postpartum.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 67 mother-infant pairs (16 SGA, 51 non-SGA).
- Maternal sociodemographic data collected postpartum.
- Breast milk leptin concentrations measured by immunoassay at one month postpartum.
- Infant anthropometric measurements (weight, height, TSF, SSF) and derived Z-scores (BMI/A, TSF, SSF) collected at three and six months postpartum.
Main Results:
- Univariate analysis showed lower breast milk leptin in the SGA group (p=0.006), but this difference disappeared after adjustment (p=0.181).
- In SGA infants, adjusted analysis revealed an association between higher breast milk leptin and lower subscapular skinfold (SSF) Z-scores at six months (p=0.003).
- In non-SGA infants, adjusted analysis showed an association between higher breast milk leptin and lower BMI-for-age (BMI/A) Z-scores at three (p=0.002) and six months (p=0.010).
Conclusions:
- Breast milk leptin concentrations show differential associations with infant anthropometry in SGA versus non-SGA groups.
- Leptin in breast milk may act as a modulating factor influencing infant growth trajectories in the early months of life.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which breast milk leptin impacts infant development and long-term metabolic health.
Abstract:
Leptin concentrations in breast milk can influence metabolic programming during the first months of life. Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns show a peculiar growth pattern after birth, which can lead to adulthood diseases. This study aims to assess an association between leptin concentration in mature breast milk and the infant anthropometric indicators of the SGA and the non-SGA groups, in addition, to comparing the hormone level between these groups. A longitudinal study was performed with mother-infant pairs. The maternal sociodemographic information was collected in the first 48 h postpartum. Breast milk was collected at one month postpartum and leptin concentrations were obtained by immunoassays. The infant anthropometric measurements were collected at three and six months postpartum and included weight, height (to body mass index-BMI calculated), triceps skinfold (TSF), and subscapular skinfold (SSF). The BMI for age (BMI/A), TSF, and SSF were calculated by Z-score indicators. Data from 67 mother-infant pairs (n = 16 SGA and n = 51 non-SGA) were analyzed. In univariate analyses, the breast milk of the SGA group had lower leptin concentrations than the non-SGA group (p = 0.006), however, after adjustment, there was no difference between groups (p = 0.181). In the SGA group, there was a significant association between leptin concentrations and lower SSF at six months in infants, after adjustment (p = 0.003). In the non-SGA group, the breast milk leptin was associated with lower BMI/A at three and six months in infants, after adjustment (p = 0.002 and p = 0.010, respectively). The association between breast milk leptin concentrations with SSF in the SGA group and BMI/A in the non-SGA group suggests that leptin may be a modulating factor in infant growth in the first months of life.
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