Origins of Neonatal Leptin Deficiency in Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND: Cord blood leptin increases with advancing gestation. Preterm delivery leads to premature separation from the maternal and placental leptin source predisposing infants to postnatal leptin deficiency, but this has not been fully described. METHOD: Blood leptin levels were measured for infants born before 33 weeks gestation daily for the first 2 days, then weekly until 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Cord blood was obtained to provide gestational age (GA)-specific standards. RESULTS: Cord blood leptin levels were positively associated with GA at birth, maternal body mass index (BMI) and pregnancy weight gain (all P<0.05). Following birth, infant leptin levels decreased rapidly (74% decrease within 48 hours). The extent of this decline correlated with GA (P<0.05). Postnatal leptin began to increase by 33-36 weeks PMA, but remained below cord blood leptin levels (P<0.01). At 36 weeks PMA, leptin levels were influenced by infant’s weight and sex (P<0.01), with females having higher leptin levels (1213 pg/ml vs. 984, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Cord blood leptin is influenced by maternal weight gain and BMI, suggesting an important role for trans-placental leptin delivery. Preterm delivery leads to sustained leptin deficiency through 36 weeks PMA, with the most premature male infants facing the longest and harshest deficiency.