Original Paper

Fetal Adiponectin and Resistin in Correlation with Birth Weight Difference in Monozygotic Twins with Discordant Growth
Bettina C. Gohlke^a, Peter Bartmann^b, Rolf Fimmers^c, Agnes Huber^d, Kurt Hecher^d, Christian L. Roth^a

Departments of
^aPaediatrics,
^bNeonatology and
^cStatistics, University of Bonn, Bonn, and
^dDepartment of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2008;69:37-44 (DOI: 10.1159/000111794)

  Key Words

• Small-for-gestational-age newborns
• Twin-twin transfusion syndrome
• Metabolic syndrome
• Adiponectin
• Resistin

  Abstract

Background: Various studies have demonstrated an increased risk for adult diseases in newborns born small-for-gestational-age (SGA). Adiponectin and resistin can be detected in cord blood and are suggested to affect insulin resistance (IR). This might represent a link between metabolic syndrome and SGA birth. Study Design: We investigated the relationship between the adipocytokines and inter-twin birth weight (BW) difference of 31 monozygotic twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome; in 14 twin pairs BW difference was >15% (1 SGA twin, 1 appropriate-for-gestational-age, AGA, twin). Results: BW and length of all patients were positively related to adiponectin (r = 0.57; p < 0.0001; r = 0.47; p < 0.0001) and to resistin (r = 0.31; p < 0.01; r = 0.35; p < 0.01). In 71% (10/14), the SGA twins showed lower adiponectin concentrations than their AGA co-twins (only 6/14 for resistin). To correct for gestational age we calculated the relationship between the intrapair differences () of BW and of the hormones. We found BW positively correlated with adiponectin (r = 0.55; p < 0.001) but not with resistin (r = 0.22; p = 0.2). adiponectin was positively correlated with resistin (r = 0.45; p < 0.01). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that adiponectin and resistin levels are associated with BW with only adiponectin levels being reduced in SGA children independently of gestational age. Prenatally different metabolic status between the twins might predispose the SGA twin to develop IR later in life.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. B. Gohlke
Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde der Universität Bonn
Adenauerallee 119
DE-53113 Bonn (Germany)
Tel. +49 228 287 33259, Fax +49 228 287 33344, E-Mail gohlke-bonn@t-online.de

  Article Information

Accepted: March 8, 2007
Received: September 25, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 39