Longitudinal changes in high molecular weight serum adiponectin levels in healthy infants.

To determine the factors associated with high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW-ad) levels during the first year of life, the longitudinal changes in serum HMW-ad were investigated from birth to 12 mo of age. The total adiponectin levels, HMW-ad, and leptin were measured longitudinally from birth to 12 mo of age in 56 healthy infants (>or=35 wk of gestation). Serum HMW-ad levels were positively correlated with total adiponectin levels (R2 = 0.93, p < 0.0001). Serum HMW-ad levels at birth, six, and 12 mo were 13.7 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SE), 13.3 +/- 0.8, and 7.7 +/- 0.5 microg/mL, respectively. The levels at 12 mo were significantly lower than those at birth and 6 mo, respectively. In a multiple regression analysis, the HMW-ad levels at 12 mo were found to be related only to cord blood HMW-ad levels (beta = 0.680, p < 0.001) and not to any other factors. These results imply that postnatal production of HMW-ad at least during infancy may be regulated before birth. Further study is necessary to determine whether cord blood HMW-ad has an effect and whether it is involved in the development of metabolic syndrome.