WIP 38 - Ghrelin and Resistin Levels in Preterm Human Milk and Associations with Maternal Factors

Publication Number: WIP 38.7514

Stephanie Q. Zhang, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, CINCINNATI, OH, United States; Ting Ting Fu, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States

Background: Maternal breast milk is encouraged as the primary source for infant nutrition, especially for very low birth weight infants. This population often has suboptimal postnatal growth with studies largely focused on macronutrients. Ghrelin and resistin are hormones found in breast milk of term mothers that may be related to infant growth. Ghrelin stimulates appetite, fat deposition, and growth hormone release. Resistin may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. However, their presence in preterm human milk is not well-described, and it is unclear whether certain maternal co-morbidities may be associated with differences in preterm breast milk hormone concentrations.

Objective: The aim is to evaluate ghrelin and resistin concentrations in preterm maternal milk and investigate associations with maternal characteristics, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Design/Methods: This is part of an ongoing IRB-approved prospective cohort study recruiting from two level III NICUs in the greater Cincinnati area. Inclusion criteria include birth weight less than 1500 grams, gestational age at birth less than 33 weeks, and attainment of full enteral feeding volume. For mothers who are expressing milk for their infants, breast milk is combined into daily pools prior to feeding and sampling. Macronutrient composition is analyzed in triplicate using a mid-infrared human milk analyzer (Miris). Relationships between hormone levels and fat and protein content will be assessed by correlation coefficients. Hormone levels will be measured in duplicate via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (R&D Systems) and averaged. Maternal characteristics will be collected via chart review and include demographics, prenatal/birth information, and co-morbidities. Maternal factors will be compared to hormone levels via unadjusted linear regression models. Currently, 78 patients have been enrolled with three withdrawals; of these, 39 mothers have provided at least one sample. Hormone measurements and statistical analysis are anticipated to be completed by February 2025.