ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived plasma protein with various metabolic effects that include increasing insulin sensitivity, antiatherogenic, and antiinflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of cord plasma adiponectin levels with body size, ponderal index, and gender in newborns and also age and body mass index in their mothers. METHODS: The cord blood was obtained from 99 healthy newborns (male 46, female 53, gestational age of 32-41 weeks) and the concentrations of adiponectin were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay kit. Anthropometric parameters of the newborns including birth weight and length were measured. Maternal weight and height were identified, and their body mass index was calculated. RESULTS: The cord plasma adiponectin levels of the newborns whose gestational age was longer than 39 weeks were significantly higher compared with those of gestational age shorter than 39 weeks (15.0+/-9.9 vs 8.4+/-8.9 microgram/mL, P=0.001). The cord plasma adiponectin concentrations were positively correlated with gestational age and length at birth of the newborns. There was no correlation between cord plasma adiponectin levels and sex, birth weight or ponderal index of the newborns. Any significant correlation was not found between cord plasma adiponectin levels and maternal age or body mass index. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that cord plasma adiponectin concentrations are positively associated with gestational age and length at birth of neonates. However there is no correlation between cord plasma adiponectin levels and maternal age or body mass index.