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Gender, smoking during pregnancy and gestational age influence cord leptin concentrations in newborn infants

S Kayemba-kay's, Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Poitiers University Teaching Hospital, Poitiers, 86021, France
M Geary, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
J Pringle, London Centre for Paediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, Institute of Child Health & University College London, London, United Kingdom
C Rodeck, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
J Kingdom, Program in Development & Fetal Health, Samuel Lunefield Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, United Kingdom
P Hindmarsh, Developmental Endocrinology Research Group of Ped Endocrinology, Institue of Child Health, London, United Kingdom

Correspondence: Simon Kayemba-kay's, Email: k.kayemba-kays{at}chu-poitiers.fr

Abstract

SUMMARY

Background: Low BW, small HC, reduced length, increased preterm births, and neuroendocrine dysfunctions are consequences of smoking during pregnancy. Few studies have linked leptin, to clinical features of growth restriction associated with maternal smoking and explored interaction with other determinants of birth size such as gender.

Methods: Cord leptin concentrations measured in 1215 term infants born to Caucasian mothers after an uneventful pregnancy were related to birth weight, gestational length, gender and maternal smoking. Interaction with other determinants of birth size was evaluated.

Results: Smokers were younger (p0.001), shorter (p=0.03), and from lower socio-economic groups (p0.001). Infants of smokers were lighter (-190 g), shorter and with smaller HC.

Girls had higher cord leptin concentrations (9.8 SD 7.6 ng/ml) than boys (7.05 SD 5.8 ng/ml) ( P0.001). Boys were heavier (BW 3.52 SD 0.49 kg) than girls (3.39 SD 0.44 kg) (P0.001) but skinfold thickness measurements were greater in the latter (sub-scapular and quadriceps skinfold thicknesses 5.5 SD 1.6 mm and 7.6 SD 1.9 mm respectively; boys 5.3 SD 1.6 versus 7.24 +/- 1.90 mm, p0.001, respectively).

On multivariate analyses gender (p0.001), BW SDS (p0.001), gestational length (p0.001), and maternal smoking (p0.042) were factors influencing umbilical cord leptin concentrations.

Conclusion: Maternal smoking restrains foetal growth through placental vascular effects, and likely via effects on leptin metabolism. Studies are needed to determine influence of maternal smoking on placental syncytiotrophoblast and foetal adipose tissue.