Race, sex, preterm status predict childhood adipokine trajectory

Factors such as preterm status, race, and biological sex are significantly associated with adipokine trajectory throughout childhood, as shown in a study.

A team of investigators explored the longitudinal trajectories of leptin and adiponectin, which play important roles in systemic metabolic homeostasis, from birth to early childhood. They also examined whether the trajectories and risk factors differed by preterm birth status.

Mother-infant pairs in the Boston Birth Cohort, a predominantly Black, indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) study population, were included in the analysis.

The investigators measured infant plasma leptin and adiponectin levels, as well as assessed longitudinal trajectories and related prenatal maternal and infancy factors. They analysed a total of 716 infants (158 preterm) with leptin and adiponectin measurements at birth and in early childhood (mean corrected age 2.18 years).

Cord leptin was higher in term than in preterm infants (40,230 vs 20,481; p<0.0001) but did not differ by prematurity (4,123 vs 4,181; p=0.92) during childhood. Likewise, adiponectin was greater in term infants at birth (18,416 vs 11,223; p<0.0001) and in childhood (12,108 vs 10,532; p=0.04).

Stepwise regression revealed the association of Black race with higher childhood leptin and lower childhood adiponectin. In multivariable regression models, female sex correlated with higher childhood leptin levels and lower childhood adiponectin levels.

“These findings raise the possibility that early life programming of adipokines may contribute to higher metabolic risk in life, especially among Black children born preterm,” the investigators said.