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Cord Blood Leptin Levels and Anthropometric Indices in Virally Suppressed HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative
C U Onubogu1,2,3, E F Ugochukwu2,3, H C Okpara4,5
1Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposed infants show lower cord blood leptin and adverse growth. Interventions are needed to improve infant health outcomes in HIV-exposed newborns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- In utero human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure is linked to poor infant health.
- Understanding mechanisms behind adverse anthropometric outcomes is crucial for interventions.
- Optimizing health for HIV-exposed infants requires further research into developmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cord blood leptin levels and anthropometric indices in newborns exposed and unexposed to HIV in utero.
- To investigate the relationship between leptin and anthropometric measurements in these groups.
- To assess potential differences in neonates born to virally suppressed HIV-positive mothers versus HIV-negative mothers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 65 HIV-exposed and 65 HIV-unexposed mother-newborn pairs.
- Data collected included sociodemographic, obstetric, and anthropometric variables.
- Cord blood leptin levels measured using Elabscience® ELISA kit; data analyzed with SPSS.
Main Results:
- HIV-exposed newborns exhibited significantly lower birth weight, birth weight-for-gestational age, ponderal index, and mid-arm/occipitofrontal circumference ratio.
- HIV-exposed neonates had significantly lower cord blood leptin levels.
- Leptin levels showed positive correlations with neonatal and maternal anthropometric indices; Dolutegravir exposure had no impact on leptin.
Conclusions:
- HIV-exposed neonates present with lower cord blood leptin and poorer anthropometric outcomes.
- Leptin levels are positively associated with neonatal and maternal anthropometric measurements.
- Further research is essential to develop targeted interventions for improving the health of HIV-exposed infants.
Background:
Despite the remarkable success of prevention of mother-to-child transmission interventions, in utero human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure remains associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This has been linked to adverse anthropometric outcomes, and understanding the underlying mechanisms is crucial for designing effective interventions to improve health outcomes of HIV-exposed infants.
Aim:
This cross-sectional study compared the relationship between cord blood leptin levels and anthropometric indices in virally suppressed HIV-positive and HIV-negative mother-singleton newborn pairs at NAUTH from January to August 2023.
Methods:
Mother-newborn pairs were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data on sociodemographic, obstetric, and anthropometric indices and other medical variables were collected. Cord blood leptin levels were measured using an Elabscience® ELISA kit. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 22, with P < 0.05 considered significant.
Results:
Each group consists of 65 mother-newborn pairs. No significant differences were found in age, education, marital status, or social class between groups. Approximately 95% of the HIV-positive mothers were on Dolutegravir-based regimen. HIV-positive mothers had a significantly lower median third trimester weight gain rate (P = 0.001), intrapartum BMI (P = 0.030), and mean mid-arm circumference (0.017). HIV-exposed newborns had a significantly lower mean birth weight (p-0.002), birth weight-for-gestational age (GA) percentile and Z-scores (P < 0.001), ponderal index (P = 0.002), mid-arm/occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) ratio (P < 0.001), and OFC-for-GA Z-score (P = 0.004). HIV-exposed newborns also had significantly lower cord blood leptin levels (P = 0.012), with leptin showing moderate and weak positive correlations with birth and maternal anthropometric indices, respectively. Dolutegravir exposure had no effect on cord blood leptin levels.
Conclusion:
HIV-exposed neonates significantly had lower cord blood leptin levels and adverse anthropometric outcomes. Leptin levels correlated positively with neonatal and maternal anthropometric indices. Further research is needed to tailor interventions for improving outcomes in HIV-exposed infants.
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