Serum and Salivary Leptin Levels in Children With Adenoid/Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy

Adenoid and adenotonsillar hypertrophy are among the most common causes of nasal obstruction, snoring and sleep-disordered breathing in children, and chronic upper airway obstruction may affect growth, appetite and energy metabolism. Leptin is an adipose tissue-derived hormone that regulates appetite and energy balance. This prospective case-control study aims to compare serum and salivary leptin levels between children with adenoid/adenotonsillar hypertrophy and age- and sex-matched children without adenoid/adenotonsillar hypertrophy, to evaluate the relationship of leptin levels with height, weight and body mass index, and to assess whether salivary leptin, a non-invasive measure, reflects serum leptin levels.