Materno-foetal leptin and insulin-like growth factor in low birth weight neonates

Low birth weight (LBW) is a health concern in developing countries. Leptin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are factors that influence LBW. A case-control study was conducted at Medani hospital, Sudan. Cases were women who had LBW deliveries (<2,500 g) and controls were women with normal-weight babies (>= 2.500-4,000 g). Sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics were gathered from both groups and leptin and IGF-I levels were measured by ELISA. Cases and controls (45 in each arm) were matched in their basic data. The median (interquartile) of maternal leptin levels [9.9 (1.9-21.8) vs. 16.0 (9.6-20.8), ng/ml; P < 0.001] and IGF-I [1.6 (0.7-20.0) vs. 6.1 (4.3-7.1) ng/ml; P < 0.001] were significantly lower in cases than in controls. Likewise, cord serum leptin [5.8 (2.1-12.6) vs. 20.0 (5.1-37.8) ng/ml; P < 0.001] and cord serum IGF-I [1.7 (1.3-2.0) vs. 6.9 (5.9-7.4) ng/ml; P < 0.001] levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls. Significant positive correlation was found between birth weight and cord leptin (r = 0.398), maternal (r = 0.795) and cord (r = 0.863) IGF-I levels. Maternal and cord leptin and IGF-I levels were significantly lower in LBW babies.