Leptin and Ghrelin Levels in Children before and after Adenoidectomy or Adenotonsillectomy

Authors:
  • MAMehmet Akdag
    Mehmet Akdag
  • GUGulbahar Uzun
    Gulbahar Uzun
  • SOSebahat Ozdem
    Sebahat Ozdem
  • ODOktay Dinc
    Oktay Dinc
  • IBIffet Bircan
    Iffet Bircan
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Abstract
Background and Aim: Accelerated weight gain after (adeno)tonsillectomy has been reported in a number of studies. Whether (adeno)tonsillectomy is also a risk factor for development of overweight is unknown. We investigated serum leptin and plasma ghrelin levels before and 1 year after (adeno)tonsillectomy operation in children. Materials and Methods: We studied 31 patients and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy control children. Auxologic evaluation and biochemical investigations were performed before surgery and 1 year later. Results: One year after surgery, height SDS (p = 0.001) and weight SDS (p = 0.004) were significantly increased in both groups. No changes in BMI SDS (p = 0.105) were observed. Preoperative leptin levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (p < 0.001). IGF-1, IGFBP-3, HOMA-IR and ghrelin values were not significantly different between the groups. One year after surgery, IGF-1 (p = 0.001) and IGFBP-3 (p = 0.001) were significantly increased, while ghrelin (p < 0.001) was significantly decreased. Postoperative leptin levels of patients were also significantly higher than preoperative values (p = 0.036). Conclusion: Significantly higher leptin levels in patients compared to control both before and 1 year after an obstruction-relieving surgery suggested that higher levels might be due to leptin resistance in these patients. Based on our findings we recommend measurement of leptin levels longitudinally for at least 5 years after adenotonsillectomy.

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