Effect of breast milk leptin levels on the formation of necrotising enterecolitis in preterm infant - a pilot study

Effect of breast milk leptin levels on the formation of necrotising enterecolitis in preterm infant - a pilot study, Trakya University, Institute of Health Science, Biophysics Department, Master Thesis, Edirne, 2025. Background and Aim: This study aimed to compare leptin levels in colostrum and mature milk samples collected 15 days postpartum from preterm mothers, and to evaluate their relationship with the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Material and Methods: The study included preterm mothers with and without a diagnosis of NEC. Milk samples were analyzed without separating the fat, using whole milk. Leptin levels in colostrum and mature milk samples were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The normality of the data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and parametric tests were applied to evaluate differences between groups. Results: There was no significant difference in leptin levels between NEC and non-NEC groups in either colostrum or mature milk (p>0.05p > 0.05p>0.05). However, a significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the reduction in leptin levels from colostrum to mature milk (p<0.05p < 0.05p<0.05). Leptin levels showed a more pronounced decrease over time in the NEC group compared to the non-NEC group. Conclusion: While leptin levels did not appear to have a direct effect on NEC development, the more substantial reduction in leptin levels in the NEC group may indicate a potential link to pathological processes. The higher leptin levels in colostrum suggest that this period plays a critical role in meeting the metabolic and immunological needs of preterm infants. This study contributes to the understanding of changes in milk composition and their potential role in NEC development. Further large-scale and long-term studies are needed to evaluate the clinical implications of leptin levels. Keywords: Prematurity, breast milk, leptin, necrotizing enterocolitis. Financial Support: The present study was supported by the Research Fund of Trakya University. Project No: 2024/201