Reference values for leptin/adiponectin ratio in healthy children and adolescents

Abstract Background Leptin and adiponectin are two key adipocyte secreted hormones and both are involved in several essential physiological mechanisms. Due to their central role in energy homeostasis their ratio, the leptin/adiponectin ratio, is believed to be a marker of metabolic derangement. Pediatric reference values are needed for the risk stratification of individual-measured ratios. Methods Blood samples were drawn from healthy, Danish schoolchildren following an overnight fast. A ratio was calculated from serum leptin and adiponectin quantifications done using commercially available ELISA Kits. Results Nine hundred eighty-three participants (583 girls) aged 6–18 years were included. Smoothed percentile curves and age-group specific percentiles were calculated. A correlation with age was demonstrated, with a gradual increase with age in girls and a negative parabolic relation, with a peak in age group 10–14, in boys. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was positively correlated to the body mass index standard deviation score for both girls and boys (p  Conclusion The leptin/adiponectin ratio is correlated to age and differs between the sexes in healthy children and adolescents.