Relation of Breast Milk Adiponectin Level to Infant Growth

Background: Studies on the physiology of breastfeeding revealed the presence of the adipokines as adiponectin in mothers’ milk. In full-term neonates, during the first few days of life, serum and plasma adiponectin levels correlate positively with birth weight and length, neonatal adiposity. While, circulating adiponectin levels correlate negatively with the degree of adiposity in children aged between 5 and 10 years. Patient and Methods: In the current cross sectional study patients and their mother were recruited from out patient clinic in Ain Shams Hospital. Questionnaire was done for maternal age, maternal diseases, gestational age, mode of delivery, infant sex and type of feeding. Also in this study maternal body mass index and infant anthropometry were calculated and breast milk adiponectin levels were measured at 1st week, one month and at six months. Results: Maternal body mass index ranges from (19-29). Infant weight z-score ranges were (-1.77-1.84), (-1.76-1.9) and (-2.02-1.62) at one week, one month and six months respectively. Infant length z-score ranges were (-1.45-2.72), (1.43-3.01) and (-1.61-1.54) at one week, one month and six months respectively. Breast milk adiponectin ranges were (12.8-38.4 ng/dl), (8.8-30.8 ng/dl) and (5.5-25 ng/dl) at one week, one month and six months respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm that human milk adiponectin was significantly associated with lower infant WAZ score at one month, with high significant association with lower infant WAZ score at six month. However, not associated with infant weight at baseline.