Serum ghrelin concentration, fasting time and feeding in infants.
BACKGROUND
Data on hormonal feeding control in infants in the first months of life according to the kind of feeding are scanty.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether serum ghrelin could be involved in feeding behaviour control of breast-fed (BF) and formula fed (FF) infants.


METHODS
We studied 50 AGA healthy term infants aged 1-6 months of age. Serum ghrelin concentration was determined by RIA. Fasting time (measured as the difference between the time of the last meal and the time of blood collection) and number of meals were recorded.


RESULTS
A positive correlation between serum ghrelin levels and fasting time emerged in FF infants (r = 0.752; p <0.001) but not in BF infants (r = 0.345; p = 0.072).


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating ghrelin concentration correlates positively with fasting time in FF infants; these infants have higher serum ghrelin concentration, longer fasting time and fewer meals than BF infants. These observations suggest a possible influence of early feeding on mechanisms regulating satiety and feeding behaviour.
Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita, University of Turin, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it
Francesco
F
Savino
Maria Francesca
MF
Fissore
Stefania Alfonsina
SA
Liguori
Erica Clara
EC
Grassino
Carla
C
Guidi
Roberto
R
Oggero
Leandra
L
Silvestro
Roberto
R
Miniero
D001942:Breast Feeding; D005215:Fasting; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D054439:Ghrelin