title: Neonatal birth waist is positively predicted by second trimester maternal active ghrelin, a pro-appetite hormone, and negatively associated with third trimester maternal leptin, a pro-satiety hormone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In pregnancy physiological mechanisms activated by maternal appetite contribute to adequate energy intake for the mother and for the fetus. The role of maternal appetite-related peptides and their possible association with neonatal energy stores and glucose metabolism have not been investigated as yet. The aim was to investigate, during pregnancy, the association of fasting maternal appetite-related hormones levels [ghrelin (active), GLP1 (active), total PYY and leptin] with neonatal waist, percent total body fat and insulin levels at birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two normal and thirty eight overweight women (mean±SD; age: 26.9±2.5years; pre-pregnancy BMI 26±2.2kg/m(2)) were seen during each of the three trimesters, had blood sampling and a 75g oral glucose tolerance test. At birth, neonates underwent anthropometry and cord blood sampling for c-peptide, glucose, insulin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During all three trimesters maternal weight correlated positively with percent total neonatal body fat while during the second and third trimesters it correlated positively with birth weight. The second trimester maternal active ghrelin levels correlated positively with neonatal waist and were its best positive predictor. The third trimester maternal active ghrelin levels correlated positively with neonatal waist and negatively with percent total neonatal body fat, fetal cord blood insulin levels and were the best negative predictor of the latter. The third trimester maternal leptin levels correlated negatively with neonatal waist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During pregnancy circulating maternal active ghrelin, a pro-appetite hormone, is associated with neonatal visceral energy storage (as expressed by neonatal waist). By inhibiting glucose-driven maternal insulin secretion, ghrelin might ensure adequate fasting glucose and nutrient supplies to the fetus while limiting overall fetal adipose tissue deposition.
authors: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology Department, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece; Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Valsamakis
authors: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology Department, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios C
authors: DC
authors: Papatheodorou
authors: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology Department, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Aikaterini
authors: A
authors: Naoum
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Margeli
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Papassotiriou
authors: Department of Obesity and Diabetes, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Efthymios
authors: E
authors: Kapantais
authors: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology Department, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Creatsas
authors: Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.
authors: Sudhesh
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology Department, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: mastorakg@ath.forthnet.gr.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Mastorakos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012527:Satiation; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin
keywords: Appetite; Birth waist; Cord blood insulin; Maternal active ghrelin; Pregnancy