Leptin and adiponectin levels in discordant dichorionic twins at 72 hours of age-associations with anthropometric parameters and insulin resistance

Abstract

AbstractBackground:Insulin resistance (IR) in adults has been associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Leptin and adiponectin correlations with anthropometric parameters and IR at 72 h in discordant twins were tested.Methods:We included 24 discordant (birth weight discordance ≥20% in relation to the heavier cotwin) and 30 concordant (birth weight discordance ≤10%) twins.Results:A correlation between leptin (but not adiponectin) level and birth weight (BW), birth length and head circumference in IUGR twins was recorded (p<0.05). Insulin sensitivity (IS) and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-IR in IUGR twins were similar to appropriate-for-gestational-age cotwins and unrelated to adipokines. In IUGR twins, adiponectin and insulin associated positively. In larger concordant twins’ leptin level correlated with HOMA-IR and insulin.Conclusions:Leptin, but not adiponectin, levels correlate positively with anthropometric parameters in IUGR twins. IR in IUGR twins is unrelated to adipokines in the first few days of life.