Correlation of Changes in Cord Blood Insulin Like Growth Factor-1, Leptin level and Foetal Growth in Neonates Born at 28 Weeks of Gestation: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is a protein that is encoded by the IGF-1 gene in humans. IGF-1 is critical for prenatal and neonatal growth, as well as for cardiovascular system, neurological system and lung development. Leptin is produced by adipose tissue and heavily involved in the control of energy balance, body weight, metabolism, and endocrine responses. IGF-1 and leptin affect the regulation of somatic growth and the development and birth weight. Aim: To estimate the level of cord blood IGF-1 and leptin levels in neonate born at ≥ 28 week of pregnancy and to correlate the cord blood level of IGF-1 and leptin in neonate with their foetal weight. Materials and Methods: The present analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology department at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from June 2023 to October 2023. The study included 90 postpartum women most of the participants were in the age group between 20 to 35 years. Before delivering the placenta, cord blood sample was taken from the foetal side of the umbilical cord into appropriate tube, while serum IGF-1 and Leptin levels were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Billirubin was assessed using a Beckman Coulter auto analyser. Spearman’s correlation was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (27.0). Results: The present study investigated the neonatal and demographic characteristics of pregnant women who were full term and newborns. Neonates were 2.7±0.6 kg on average, which is comparable with Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA), however mother’s mean BMI was 27±5 kg/m2 , which indicates overweight status. The results of the biochemical study indicated that the variability of leptin levels exceeded the mean. Elevated levels of IGF-1 (r=0.229, p=0.031) and leptin (r=0.250, p=0.018) were associated with greater foetal weight, according to Spearman’s correlation, which showed a strong positive relationship between foetal growth and both biomarkers. Conclusion: Cord blood analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between newborn weight and both IGF-1, leptin levels. IGF-1 and Leptin levels were observed to be elevated with increase in neonate birth weight.