Breast milk contains adipokines such as resistin and leptin and is known for its protective effect against obesity and insulin resistance. This pilot study aims to evaluate the correlation between resistin levels, feeding types (breast milk and formula), and anthropometric parameters in healthy 1-month-old term infants. Urine and breast milk samples were collected from 32 infants and their mothers at 1 month postpartum. Twelve infants were included in the breastfed group, while thirteen infants comprised the breastfed-dominant mix-fed group, and seven infants the formula-dominant mix-fed group. Using ELISA kits, we analyzed resistin levels in the infants' urine and the mothers' breast milk, and leptin levels in breast milk. Urinary resistin levels among the three groups were not significantly different. There was no correlation between the following: urinary resistin levels in the breastfed group with resistin levels in breast milk; resistin levels in urine with infant's body weight and weight gain; resistin levels in breast milk with weight, age, and BMI of mothers and leptin levels in breast milk. This study suggests that the type of feeding does not affect resistin levels in term infants and resistin level does not affect growth in early infancy.
Keywords: breast milk; leptin; resistin; term infants; urine.