Lack of association between plasma leptin levels and appetite in children with iron deficiency

A negative correlation between leptin and appetite or food intake has been shown in healthy individuals. However, the role of leptin in clinical condi tions characterized by anorexia has not been established. One of the well-k nown clinical features of iron-deficiency anemia is poor appetite. We exami ned the-changes in plasma leptin levels in relation to expected improvement in appetite with iron treatment in children with iron deficiency. In 24 in fants and small children (mean age +/- standard deviation = 19.6 +/- 7.7 mo nths) with iron deficiency, we studied plasma leptin levels before and afte r iron therapy. After 15.0 +/- 2.4 wk of iron treatment, serum ferritin lev els improved significantly, with accompanying increases in their subjective appetite scores and food intakes. However, as their mean age and plasma le ptin levels adjusted their body mass indexes were unchanged. Serum ferritin correlated significantly with appetite score (r = 0.680, P < 0.001) and fo od intake (r = 0.480, P < 0.01). Leptin correlated only with body mass inde x (P = 0.405, P < 0.01). Lack of association between plasma leptin levels a nd degree of appetite in iron-deficient children treated with iron suggests a leptin-independent mechanism for the observed increase in appetite. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 2001.