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Increased leptin concentration in preterm infants of pre-eclamptic mothers
T Hytinantti1, H A Koistinen, V A Koivisto
1Helsinki City Maternity Hospital, Sofianlehdonkatu 5, SF-00610 Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Maternal pre-eclampsia is linked to higher cord plasma leptin in preterm infants. This suggests leptin may be a fetal stress response, potentially to hypoxia, in pre-eclamptic pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Research
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia is a significant complication of pregnancy.
- Leptin plays a role in fetal growth and development.
- Cord plasma leptin levels in preterm infants require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal pre-eclampsia on cord plasma leptin concentrations.
- To explore correlations between leptin levels, gestational age, and other factors in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Cord plasma leptin was measured in 74 preterm infants (24-32 weeks gestation).
- Infants were categorized based on maternal pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and antenatal corticosteroid exposure.
- Leptin concentrations were analyzed using statistical methods, including multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Mean cord plasma leptin was 1.31 (0.88) microg/l.
- Leptin levels positively correlated with gestational age.
- Significantly higher leptin concentrations were observed in infants of mothers with pre-eclampsia, those with IUGR, and those exposed to antenatal corticosteroids.
Conclusions:
- Elevated fetal leptin in pre-eclampsia may indicate a physiological adaptation to fetal stress, such as hypoxia.
- Leptin levels are associated with gestational age and maternal pre-eclampsia.
- Antenatal corticosteroid exposure did not show a significant association with leptin levels in this cohort.
Aim:
To study the effect of maternal pre-eclampsia on cord plasma leptin concentrations in preterm infants.
Methods:
Leptin concentration was analysed in cord plasma of 74 preterm infants, gestational age 24 to 32 weeks. Of these, 14 were born to pre-eclamptic mothers, in 10 intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was present, and 59 had been exposed antenatally to corticosteroids.
Results:
The mean (SD) concentration of cord plasma leptin was 1.31 (0.88) microg/l. A significant correlation was found between leptin concentration and gestational age (r = 0.336; p = 0.0037). Leptin levels were higher in infants of pre-eclamptic mothers (p = 0.0007), in those with IUGR (p = 0.0005), and in infants exposed antenatally to corticosteroids (p = 0.02). In multiple regression analysis, leptin was associated with gestational age and maternal pre-eclampsia (both p < 0.05), but not with antenatal corticosteroids.
Conclusions:
Increased fetal leptin in maternal pre-eclampsia may reflect a physiological adaptation to fetal stress such as hypoxia.