Cord blood adiponectin in large-for-gestational age newborns

The purpose of this study was to disclose the relationship between adiponectin and birth weight in a large group of newborns with normal and aberrant growth (“overweight”). Eighty-one healthy, term newborns were divided into 2 groups: 20 in the large-for-gestational age (LGA; 4297 ± 207 g), and 61 newborns in the appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA; 3384 ± 368 g). Cord blood was analyzed for adiponectin, leptin, and insulin levels. Mean adiponectin level was significantly lower in LGA newborns (29.4 ± 13.8 vs 35.0 ± 9.9 μg/mL, P < .04). Both leptin and insulin levels were higher in LGA than AGA newborns, and leptin levels positively correlated with birth weight in both groups. Insulin levels positively correlated with birth weight in AGA newborns. The results of this study imply that adiponectin may have a role in fetal growth and support the notion of negative feedback exerted by adipose tissue on adiponectin levels, as previously shown in adults.