Study of serum leptin levels in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major: correlation with body composition and serum ferritin levels

Abstract

Background Inadequate leptin production is associated with decreased fat mass (FM) and adipose tissue dysfunction in β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients. Aim To evaluate serum leptin levels and their correlation with body composition parameters and serum ferritin levels in Egyptian children and adolescents with β-TM. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study included 50 children and adolescents with β-TM (group I) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (group II). All participants underwent a thorough evaluation, which included a review of medical history, measurements of weight, height, and BMI, bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition, and laboratory tests, including serum ferritin and leptin levels. Results β-thalassemia patients showed lower anthropometric measurements and body composition parameters (FM, muscle mass, bone mass) and less advanced puberty stages than controls. Serum leptin levels were significantly lower, correlating positively with BMI and body fat and negatively with serum ferritin levels and muscle mass percentage. Female patients had higher leptin levels than males. A serum leptin cut-off value of less than 2.45 ng/ml effectively differentiated β-TM cases, demonstrating 98% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Conclusion Pediatric patients with β-TM have lower serum leptin levels than healthy controls. Leptin levels correlate significantly positively with body fat and negatively with serum ferritin levels. Given its high sensitivity and specificity, leptin may serve as a reliable biomarker for identifying alterations in FMs in these patients.