Weight and serum nesfatin-1 changes following adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Weight and serum nesfatin-1 changes following adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Background: Weight gain following adenotonsillectomy is a well-documented occurrence. Nesfatin-1, a newly described protein, influences food intake and appetite control. Objectives: To examine the relationship between nesfatin-1 and weight change following adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Methods: This study included patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstructive symptoms from February to December 2015 in a tertiary care hospital. Body mass index (BMI) and serum nesfatin-1 levels were measured both preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Changes and interrelations were analysed. Results: The study group consisted of 48 patients. Postoperative median BMI level was higher than preoperative median BMI level, and this was statistically significant (Z = -5.498; p = 0.0). Postoperative median nesfatin-1 level was statistically significantly lower than median preoperative nesfatin-1 level, and this was also statistically significant (Z = -4.128; p = 0.0). The difference between postoperative and preoperative BMI levels correlated moderately strongly with the difference between postoperative and preoperative serum nesfatin-1 levels (r2 = 0.425; p = 0.0). Conclusion: Nesfatin-1 may be a mediator of weight gain in children. It may be used in therapeutic options for excessive weight gain following adenotonsillectomy, when natural nesfatin-1 levels decrease.