Neonatal birth waist is positively predicted by second trimester maternal active ghrelin, a pro-appetite hormone, and negatively associated with third trimester maternal leptin, a pro-satiety hormone.

Introduction: In pregnancy physiological mechanisms activated by maternal appetite contribute to adequate energy intake for the mother and for the fetus. The role of maternal appetite-related peptides and their possible association with neonatal energy stores and glucose metabolism have not been investigated as yet. The aim was to investigate, during pregnancy, the association of fasting maternal appetite-related hormones levels [ghrelin (active), GLP1 (active), total PYY and leptin] with neonatal waist, percent total body fat and insulin levels at birth.