Nesfatin-1 in newborns: relationship with endocrine and metabolic and anthropometric measures

To explore the relationship between nesfatin-1 and growth and development in newborns. Blood samples for nesfatin-1, ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin and glucose were obtained from preterm (n=53) and term infants (n=60), including appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (n=32) and small for gestational age (SGA) infants (n=28). The relationship between nesfatin-1 and other metabolic hormones or anthropometric parameters was evaluated. The concentrations of nesfatin-1, ghrelin and insulin and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were higher in SGA than AGA infants (p=0.0358, 0.0163, 0.0001 and 0.0051, respectively), but IGF-1 levels and homeostasis model assessment-insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-ISI) were lower (p=0.033 and 0.0001, respectively). Nesfatin-1 levels in SGA infants were higher on postnatal day 0 (PND0) than in AGA infants (p=0.0358) and lower on PND7 (p=0.0002) and PND28 (p=0.0488). A negative correlation showed between nesfatin-1 and oral calorie intake (r=–0.446; p=0.017) and HOMA-ISI (r=–0.398; p=0.036), and a positive correlation between nesfatin-1 and HOMA-IR (r=0.43; p=0.023) in SGA infants. Nesfatin-1 is involved in the physiological regulation of intrauterine and postnatal growth and development in SGA infants.