Role of circulating adipocytokines vaspin, apelin, and visfatin in the loss of appetite in underweight children: a pilot trial.

Objectives: To investigate serum concentrations of vaspin, apelin, and visfatin in underweight children and their association with anthropometric and nutritional markers of malnutrition.

Subjects And Methods: We recruited 44 underweight prepubertal children (youngest age = 2 years) with thinness grades of 1, 2, and 3, and body weights < 90% of ideal body weight due to loss of appetite and less frequent hunger episodes. Forty-one healthy age- and gender-matched controls were also included in the study. Serum fasting vaspin, apelin, and visfatin concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay technique.

Results: Mean vaspin and apelin levels were significantly lower in underweight children compared to controls (vaspin: 0.44 ± 0.18 vs. 0.58 ± 0.35 pg/mL, p = 0.024; apelin: 483.37 ± 333.26 vs. 711.71 ± 616.50 pg/mL, p = 0.041). Visfatin levels were lower in underweight children compared to controls, but the values were not statistically significant (177.81 ± 158.01 vs. 221.15 ± 212.94 pg/mL, p = 0.119).

Conclusions: In underweight children, decreased vaspin and apelin levels should be considered in the etiology of anorexia.