Gesundheitswesen 2017; 79(08/09): 656-804
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1605766
Vorträge
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Leptin concentration in human breast milk 6 weeks postpartum: Results of the Ulm Birth Cohort Study and the Ulm SPATZ Health Study

CA Logan
1   Universität Ulm, Institut für Epidemiologie und Medizinische Biometrie, Ulm
,
F Reister
2   Universitätsfrauenklinik Ulm, Abteilung für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Ulm
,
W Koenig
3   Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Abteilung Innere Medizin II – Kardiologie, Ulm
,
V Walter
4   Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Klinische Epidemiologie und Alternsforschung, Heidelberg
,
H Brenner
4   Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Klinische Epidemiologie und Alternsforschung, Heidelberg
,
D Rothenbacher
1   Universität Ulm, Institut für Epidemiologie und Medizinische Biometrie, Ulm
,
J Genuneit
1   Universität Ulm, Institut für Epidemiologie und Medizinische Biometrie, Ulm
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 September 2017 (online)

 

Background:

Leptin in human breast milk has been implicated as a potential regulator of early-life metabolic programming. We investigated the influence of several maternal and child demographic, anthropometric, birth, or lifestyle related factors on breast milk leptin concentration assessed in two birth cohorts recruited approximately 10 years apart.

Methods:

The Ulm Birth Cohort Study (UBCS) and the Ulm SPATZ Health Study each consist of approximately 1,000 newborns and their mothers recruited from the general population in the University Medical Center Ulm, Southern Germany, respectively, from 2000 – 2001 and 2012 – 2013. Leptin concentration [pg/mL] was measured in skimmed breast milk collected approximately 6 weeks post-delivery (same lab, technician, assay, and similar storage duration). Bivariate analyses were performed to identify association between biomarker concentration and study population, maternal age, education, nationality, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, parity, delivery mode, smoking status, child“s gender, birth weight and length, and season of birth.

Results:

Breast milk leptin data were available for 754 and 668 mothers of singleton infants in UBCS and SPATZ, respectively. Mean leptin concentration was significantly lower (p-value< 0.001) in UBCS [median (IQR): 175.0 (79.8; 350.0)] compared to SPATZ [266.5 (152.0; 498.0)]. Still, we observed similar differences in leptin concentration by maternal education, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, smoking status, and child“s gender in both cohorts. Difference in leptin concentration between cohorts remained significant following adjustment for these factors.

Conclusions:

Breast milk leptin is likely associated with several maternal demographic and lifestyle related factors and may vary across populations or possibly over time. Further evaluation of potential explanations for the time trend including child growth and postpartum weight retention is planned.