Comparison of ghrelin levels in colostrum, transitional and mature milk from mothers after preterm, late preterm and term deliveries

Comparison of Ghrelin Levels in Colostrum, Transitional and Mature Milk from Mothers after Preterm, Late Preterm and Term Deliveries. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of preterm, late preterm and term gestation on breast milk content of ghrelin. For this purpose we collected breast milk samples of colostrum (3rd day), transitional milk (7th day) and mature milk (28th day) from mothers after preterm (< 34/0 weeks), late preterm (34/0-36/6 weeks) and term (>36/6 weeks) deliveries. A total of 60 mothers were enrolled to the study and there were 20 mothers in each group. Milk ghrelin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay method. We found that milk ghrelin concentrations range between 946,1 - 7159,6 pg/ml. No significant differences could be found when the ghrelin levels in colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were compared between the groups. However when the ghrelin levels of colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were compared with each other within the groups, we showed that the levels in late preterm and term colostrum and preterm, late preterm and term transitional milk were higher than that of the mature milk. Whereas the difference was statistically significant only in the late preterm group (colostrum: 1747,9 ± 373,1 pg/ml, mature milk: 1515,4 ± 315,2, p=0,043; transitional milk: 1720,3 ± 295,7 pg/ml, mature milk: 1515,4 ± 315,2 p=0,014) In conclusion we showed that there were no difference in ghrelin levels of colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk of mothers who delivered preterm, late preterm and term infants. Additionally we showed that the ghrelin levels were decreased in mature milk in all groups whereas the difference was statistically significant only in the late preterm group. Our study is the first one to compare the course of ghrelin levels in preterm, late preterm and term milk in the postpartum first month. Additionally for the first time, late preterm milk is studied as a different group and levels of ghrelin in preterm colostrum and transitional milk are investigated. The founding that the ghrelin levels of colostrum and transitional milk were higher than that of mature milk in late pretem mothers, arises a thought of a possible existence of a compensatory mechanism for late preterm babies to catch-up with their peers. To determine the exact roles of ghrelin in breast milk and its potetial long term impact on appetite regulation and metabolism, this study is believed to be contributive to future studies. Key words: Preterm, late preterm, breast milk, ghrelin