Maternal plasma leptin is increased in preeclampsia and positively correlates with fetal cord concentration

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Mar;180(3 Pt 1):731-6. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70280-2.

Abstract

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that the maternal leptin concentration would be increased in preeclampsia, independent of maternal obesity.

Study design: Maternal and cord plasma leptin concentrations were compared in 2 groups of women with either preeclampsia (n = 24) or normal pregnancy (n = 24), matched 1:1 for prepregnancy body mass index and fetal gestational age at sampling.

Results: Median leptin concentrations were significantly higher (P <. 03) in women with preeclampsia (45.6 ng/mL) than in normal pregnant women (27.0 ng/mL) and fell rapidly shortly after delivery (26.7 ng/mL and 25.4 ng/mL, respectively). Cord leptin was not significantly different between groups (5.4 ng/mL and 5.8 ng/mL, respectively). Maternal and cord leptin correlated significantly (rho = 0.76, P <.01) only in preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Preeclampsia is associated with an increase in maternal plasma leptin concentrations that strongly correlates with the fetal cord concentration at delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Birth Weight
  • Body Mass Index
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Leptin
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Pre-Eclampsia / blood*
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Leptin
  • Proteins