Abstract
Background
Infants breastfed on demand exhibit a variety of feeding patterns and self-regulate their nutrient intake, but factors influencing their gastric emptying (GE) are poorly understood. Despite research into appetite regulation properties of leptin, there is limited information about relationships between human milk leptin and infant GE.
Methods
Gastric volumes were calculated from ultrasound scans of infants’ stomachs (n=20) taken before and after breastfeeding, and then every 12.5 min (median; range: 3–45 min) until the next feed. Skim milk leptin and macronutrient concentrations were measured and doses were calculated.
Results
The leptin concentration was (mean±SD) 0.51±0.16 ng/ml; the leptin dose was 45.5±20.5 ng per feed. No relationships between both concentration and dose of leptin and time between the feeds (P=0.57; P=1, respectively) or residual stomach volumes before the subsequent feed (P=0.20; P=0.050) were found. Post-feed stomach volumes (GE rate) were not associated with leptin concentration (P=0.77) or dose (P=0.85).
Conclusion
GE in term breastfed infants was not associated with either skim milk leptin concentration or dose. Further investigation with inclusion of whole-milk leptin and other hormones that affect gastrointestinal activity is warranted.
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This study was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award from The University of Western Australia (Australia; AC, ZG) and an unrestricted research grant from Medela AG (Switzerland; DG, PEH, AH, CTL, WJT). SK was supported by Higher Education Commission (Pakistan). Medela AG had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to publish the results.
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Cannon, A., Gridneva, Z., Hepworth, A. et al. The relationship of human milk leptin and macronutrients with gastric emptying in term breastfed infants. Pediatr Res 82, 72–78 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.79
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2017.79
