Temporal changes and control variables of growth differentiation factor 15 levels during the first week of life in hospitalised newborn infants.

• GDF15 levels in hospitalised newborns were similar to those in healthy newborns and were higher than in healthy children and adults. • GDF15 levels reduced to approximately 35% of the baseline levels during the first week of life. • GDF15 levels were correlated with postnatal age, Z-score of body weight, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and lactate levels. Serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a useful biomarker of mitochondrial diseases; its utility in newborns remains unknown. To investigate the temporal change in GDF15 within the first week of life, and to identify its potential control variables, blood samples were obtained from 18 newborns. The GDF15 levels declined to approximately 35% of the cord blood levels within the first week of life and were negatively correlated with postnatal age and Z-score of birth weight but were positively correlated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and lactate levels. GDF15 levels may reflect the progress of postnatal transition to aerobic metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]