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Is low birth weight associated with lower adiponectin levels? - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Alhakeem, Afnan Sabah ; Hasturk, Aleyna ; Lawaetz, Trine Witzner Hessel ; Andersen, Tue Helms ; Brøns, Charlotte and Vaag, Allan Arthur LU (2025) In PLOS ONE 20(12 December).
Abstract

Individuals born with low birth weight are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which potentially may be attributed to immature adipose tissue development and reduced levels of the insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize data from 67 studies, comprising over 8000 individuals across various age groups, to examine the relationship between circulating adiponectin levels and birth weight. The results revealed that individuals with low birth weight have significantly lower adiponectin levels compared to those born with normal birth weight (SMD=−0.46 μg/ml [95% CI: −0.57; −0.35], P<0.0001). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I2=67%, P<0.01), but sensitivity analysis... (More)

Individuals born with low birth weight are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which potentially may be attributed to immature adipose tissue development and reduced levels of the insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize data from 67 studies, comprising over 8000 individuals across various age groups, to examine the relationship between circulating adiponectin levels and birth weight. The results revealed that individuals with low birth weight have significantly lower adiponectin levels compared to those born with normal birth weight (SMD=−0.46 μg/ml [95% CI: −0.57; −0.35], P<0.0001). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I2=67%, P<0.01), but sensitivity analysis and meta-regression did not identify specific factors driving this variation. Pooled Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderate but statistically significant positive correlation between birth weight and adiponectin levels (correlation estimate=0.31 [95% CI: 0.16; 0.46], P<0.0001). These findings suggest that reduced adiponectin levels in low birth weight individuals may contribute to their elevated risk of type 2 diabetes, potentially offering new insights into the developmental origin of this disease.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
PLOS ONE
volume
20
issue
12 December
article number
e0335598
publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
external identifiers
  • pmid:41329767
  • scopus:105023593060
ISSN
1932-6203
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0335598
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
db6795a3-04e1-4fbc-a357-f3c0b83dc4bd
date added to LUP
2026-01-14 11:28:03
date last changed
2026-01-14 11:29:01
@article{db6795a3-04e1-4fbc-a357-f3c0b83dc4bd,
  abstract     = {{<p>Individuals born with low birth weight are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, which potentially may be attributed to immature adipose tissue development and reduced levels of the insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesize data from 67 studies, comprising over 8000 individuals across various age groups, to examine the relationship between circulating adiponectin levels and birth weight. The results revealed that individuals with low birth weight have significantly lower adiponectin levels compared to those born with normal birth weight (SMD=−0.46 μg/ml [95% CI: −0.57; −0.35], P&lt;0.0001). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I<sup>2</sup>=67%, P&lt;0.01), but sensitivity analysis and meta-regression did not identify specific factors driving this variation. Pooled Pearson correlation analysis indicated a moderate but statistically significant positive correlation between birth weight and adiponectin levels (correlation estimate=0.31 [95% CI: 0.16; 0.46], P&lt;0.0001). These findings suggest that reduced adiponectin levels in low birth weight individuals may contribute to their elevated risk of type 2 diabetes, potentially offering new insights into the developmental origin of this disease.</p>}},
  author       = {{Alhakeem, Afnan Sabah and Hasturk, Aleyna and Lawaetz, Trine Witzner Hessel and Andersen, Tue Helms and Brøns, Charlotte and Vaag, Allan Arthur}},
  issn         = {{1932-6203}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{12 December}},
  publisher    = {{Public Library of Science (PLoS)}},
  series       = {{PLOS ONE}},
  title        = {{Is low birth weight associated with lower adiponectin levels? - A systematic review and meta-analysis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0335598}},
  doi          = {{10.1371/journal.pone.0335598}},
  volume       = {{20}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}