• Elevated FABP4 levels in preterm than full-term infants. • Elevated FABP4 levels in all infants than adults (p < 0.01).• Lower FABP4 levels in SGA than AGA group in full-term neonates (p = 0.05).• Elevated FABP4 levels in infants born from mothers with gestational hypertension or PE than from healthy mothers after controlling (p = 0.003). Here, FABP4 is linked to preeclampsia.