The relation between leptin and osteocalcin and various anthropometric measures in preterm and full-term babies

Leptin plays a role in foetal growth. Osteocalcin, a bone specific protein, reflects bone formation rate. This study aims to investigate the effect of leptin and osteocalcin on physical growth of newborns. About 40 full-term and 41 preterm healthy babies were included. Umbilical cord samples were analysed for leptin and osteocalcin. Anthropometric measurements were taken on newborns. Leptin was significantly higher in full terms compared to preterms with no significant difference in osteocalcin. A significant positive correlation existed between leptin and anthropometric measurements in both groups. Osteocalcin was positively correlated in full terms and negatively correlated in preterms with most measurements. A positive correlation between leptin and osteocalcin was found in full terms only. The study documented the association of leptin and osteocalcin with physical growth of full-term babies. This was true regarding leptin in preterms, but not osteocalcin which could be explained by excess bone turnover in preterms.

Keywords: leptin, osteocalcin, anthropometric measures, preterm babies, full-term babies, foetal growth, bone formation, newborns