Gut hormone profiles in preterm and term infants during the first 2 months of life

Aim: To investigate changes of gut hormones in term and preterm infants in the first 2 months after birth, as the role and relationships of gut hormones in premature infants has not been well elucidated. Methods: In 29 preterm and five term infants, fasting serum concentrations of leptin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide, insulin, amylin, and ghrelin were measured using a bead array system. Results: Serum leptin concentration soon after birth showed a positive correlation with gestational week in all infants (r=0.623, p<0.01). Serum leptin level rapidly decreased in all infants. In preterm infants, serum GLP-1 levels at birth showed negative correlations with gestational week (r=-0.447, p=0.02). Serum GIP, GLP-1, and PYY levels increased after birth and were persistently high until 10 weeks of life. Conclusion: Serum concentrations of different gut hormones changed postnatally in their specific ways in preterm infants.