Background: Leptin may be connected to nutrition, malnutrition, and the control of the energy balance.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between leptin levels and malnutrition status compared to normal nutrition in children aged from 12-60 months.
Subjects and methods: This case-control study was carried out on 66 children in the Nutritional Department and Pediatrics Out-patients Clinic of Zagazig University Children Hospital. They were divided into two groups: Group I included 33 cases as normal nutritional status, and Group II included 33 cases with malnutrition status.
Results: Between the study groups, there was a statistically significant decrease in serum leptin in malnourished group.
Conclusion: The mean value of leptin levels was lower among malnutrition children than normal children.