Relation between adiponectin and brain natriuretic peptide in healthy pediatric subjects: From birth through childhood

Background and aimsNew biomarkers potentially improve clinical management of cardiovascular disease, but there are gaps in understanding their role during childhood. Adiponectin regulates metabolism and exerts anti-inflammatory/anti-atherogenic effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate circulating levels of adiponectin during postnatal growth and its relationship with Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in healthy children, a marker of cardiac function known to be increased in childhood.Methods and resultsPlasma adiponectin and BNP were measured in 131 healthy children divided into: 43 newborns (0–3 days), 29 neonates (4–30 days), 25 infants (1–12 months) and 34 children (1–12 years). A group of 33 healthy adult subjects (25–60 years) was also studied.Plasma adiponectin in the 131 children resulted significantly higher compared to adult subjects (p < 0.0001). The time-course of adiponectin suggests the design of three age-based intervals: the first until 1 month of age (median 29.07 μg/mL, 11.61–47.01 μg/mL 5°–95° percentiles), the second between 1 and 12 months of age (21.66 μg/mL, 8.83–59.81 μg/mL) and the third for age up to 12 years (13.81 μg/mL, 4.10–28.57 μg/mL). Both adiponectin and BNP exhibited the same trend of a progressive decrease during growth, showing a significant relationship (Spearman's rho = 0.403, p < 0.0001).ConclusionAdiponectin plasma levels in a healthy pediatric population vary as a function of age. Three reference intervals for adiponectin in pediatric subjects have been indicated. The relationship between adiponectin and BNP suggests that the age-dependent profile of circulating adiponectin could also be due to BNP.