351 Differential Regulation of Cord Blood Nesfatin-1 in Large for Gestational Age Pregnancies

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood 2012-10, Vol.97 (Suppl 2), p.A103-A103
• Main Authors: Briana, DD, Kafalidis, G, Boutsikou, T, Boutsikou, M, Piatopoulou, D, Baka, S, Hassiakos, D, Gourgiotis, D, Malamitsi-Puchner, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Diabetes; Energy balance; Infants; Mothers; Neonates; Young Children
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302724.0351

Background and Aims Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants are at increased risk for developing alterations in metabolic programming, which may lead to impaired glucose homeostasis during infancy, childhood and adulthood. Adipocytokines play an important role in short- and long-term energy balance, insulin resistance and fetal growth. The objective of the present study was to investigate circulating concentrations of nesfatin-1 (novel adipocytokine, also expressed by the gastric mucosa and pancreatic β-cells) in fetal samples from LGA and appropriate-for-gestational-age-(AGA) pregnancies and study their association with gender, parity, and delivery mode. Methods Cord blood nesfatin-1 concentrations were prospectively measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 40 LGA (9 born from diabetic mothers and 31 born from non-diabetic mothers) and 20 AGA singleton full-term infants. Results Cord blood nesfatin-1 concentrations were lower in LGA compared to AGA neonates, after controlling for confounding factors (b= –0.206, p=0.005, SE 0.07). However, cord blood nesfatin-1 concentrations were elevated in infants born from mothers presenting with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared to those born from non-diabetic mothers, after controlling for group (b=0.190, p=0.050, SE 0.10). Finally, cord blood nesfatin-1 concentrations were lower in cases of vaginal delivery (b=0.11, p=0.042, SE 0.05). Conclusions Down-regulation of nesfatin-1 in LGA fetuses probably represents a negative feedback exerted by adipose tissue on nesfatin-1 production. On the other hand, fetal nesfatin-1 concentrations are higher in cases of GDM, probably indicating the possible involvement of nesfatin-1 in the regulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Finally, vaginal delivery-associated inflammation could probably account for lower cord blood nesfatin-1 concentrations.