Circulating apelin concentrations in mother/infant pairs at term

Aim: To prospectively investigate circulating concentrations of the adipokine and angiogenic factor apelin in mother/infant pairs and correlate them with respective insulin concentrations. Methods: Plasma apelin concentrations were determined in 40 mothers and their singleton full-term foetuses and neonates on day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4) of life. Results: Maternal apelin concentrations were lower compared to foetal, N1 and N4 ones (p < 0.001 in all cases). N1 apelin concentrations were lower compared to foetal and N4 ones (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005, respectively). Maternal apelin concentrations positively correlated with foetal, N1 and N4 concentrations (r = 0.663, p < 0.001, r = 0.486, p = 0.003, r = 0.484, p = 0.003, respectively). Foetal apelin concentrations positively correlated with N1 and N4 ones (r = 0.337, p = 0.044 and r = 0.574, p < 0.001, respectively). N1 apelin concentrations positively correlated with N4 ones (r = 0.513, p = 0.001). No association was found between apelin concentrations and birthweight, gender, parity or mode of delivery. No significant correlations were observed between apelin and insulin concentrations.