Circulating ghrelin levels in newborns are not associated to gender, body weight and hormonal parameters but depend on the type of delivery

S. Bellone, A. Rapa, D. Vivenza, A. Vercellotti, A. Petri, G. Radetti, J. Bellone, F. Broglio, E. Ghigo, Gianni Bona

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Ghrelin, a new gastric-derived hormone, probably plays a major role in managing energy balance and the neuroendocrine response to starvation. Information about the age-related variation in ghrelin secretion is scanty. We measured circulating ghrelin levels in 93 full term newborns adequate for gestational age, in 39 normal children and in 19 lean healthy adults. Our findings demonstrate that ghrelin levels are independent of age and gender from birth to adulthood. Interestingly, ghrelin secretion at birth is not associated to body weight and hormonal parameters such as GH, insulin and leptin levels. On the other hand, ghrelin levels seem dependent on the type of delivery, being lower in newborns after caesarean section with respect to those after normal delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)RC9-RC11
JournalJournal of Endocrinological Investigation
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2003

Keywords

  • Body weight
  • Delivery
  • Gender
  • Ghrelin
  • Newborns

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