Background/aim. Recent literature has questioned ghrelin influence on postnatal metabolism. Studies of the effect of cord plasma ghrelin level on newborn metabolism are few. This study aimed to compare pre- and full term newborn ghrelin concentration at birth, and its relation to anthropometric and metabolic parameters.

Subjects and Methods. Thirty-two newborns were enrolled in this study. They were 10 full term (group 1) and 22 preterm (group 2). Anthropometric measurements, including body weight and length, body mass index (BMI), and head circumference were measured. Blood samples were collected within the first 2 h of life and before milk feeding. Ghrelin was determined using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay while glucose and insulin were assessed using immunoenzymetic assay.

Results. Plasma ghrelin was significantly low in group 2 compared with group 1; in contrast, insulin and glucose were similar. In full term newborns plasma ghrelin was positively related to gestational age (r = 0.993; P < 0.01), head circumference (r = 0.740; P < 0.05), but was negatively related to serum insulin (r = -430.986; P < 0.01). However, plasma ghrelin was not related to anthropometric parameters or to glucose and insulin in pre-term newborns.

Conclusion. In conclusion, plasma ghrelin may have a significant effect on full-term newborns metabolism and anthropometry.