(P07-048-23) Umbilical Cord Blood Insulin and Leptin Levels at Birth and Their Association With Maternal Dietary Intake and Perinatal Metabolic Determinants

Objectives: Insulin and leptin are anorectic hormones crucial for fetal development and disturbances in the levels of these hormones contribute to obesity and diabetes in adulthood. The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between umbilical cord insulin and leptin levels with perinatal metabolic determinants and maternal nutrient intake.

Methods: A cohort study included 34 newborns from a gynecological hospital in the Vadodara district, India. Umbilical cord leptin and insulin were assayed using commercially available ELISA kits. Diet history was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall and FFQ. Anthropometric measurements were assessed of the mother during the second trimester, third trimester and newborn. Chi-square and Pearson’s correlation were used for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean cord blood leptin and cord blood insulin were 12±9.4ng/dl and 8.9±6.4ng/dl, respectively. The mean protein, fat and fibre intake by pregnant women in the third trimester was 49.7±15.5,62±19,21±9.6, respectively. The mean difference in body weight between the second and third trimesters was 4.2±2kg and was positively correlated and significantly associated with cord blood insulin (R=.343, p=0.04). Birth weight and head circumference were positively correlated and significantly associated with the levels of cord blood insulin and leptin. Cord blood insulin (R=.402,p=.01) and leptin(R=.600,p=.001)levels were positively correlated and significantly associated with third-trimester maternal body mass index. Maternal folic acid intake was positively correlated with the length (R=.333,p=0.05) and the head circumference(R=.346,p=0.04) of the newborns. Maternal hemoglobin level was positively correlated with the head circumference of the newborn(R=348,p=0.01). Higher the total fat intake during the third trimester, higher was the cord blood insulin levels in mothers with higher BMI.

Conclusions: The study indicated that a higher insulin and leptin umbilical cord blood level is correlated with a high BMI and high total fat intake during the third trimester which is significantly associated with a larger birth weight of newborns. The effect of maternal folic acid intake on head circumference of the newborn is significant. Birth weight, length and head circumference positively correlated with umbilical leptin and insulin.

Funding Sources: None