Plasma Leptin Concentration in Cord Blood: Relationship to the Degree of Preeclampsia and Placental Weight

Objective: To study the changes in the level of umbilical cord plasma leptin in newborns of women with preeclampsia and weither there is a correlation between the degree of preeclampsia and the level of umbilical cord plasma leptin. In addition to study if there is any correlation between cord plasma leptin and placental weight. Study design: This study compared cord plasma leptin of 42 preeclamptic mothers neqborns (24 mild preeclampsia, 18 severe preeclampsia) and 40 normal control mothers neoboms. Results: Mean value of cord plasma leptin was significantly higher in preeclamptic group than control group (p 0.001), furthermore it was significantly higher in severe preeclamptic group than mild preeclamptic group (p 0.01). Female newborns had significantly higher mean value of cord plasma leptin than male gender newborns (p 0.001). Comparing mean value of pulsatility index of umbilical artery in preeclamptic and control groups, it was significantly higher (p 0.001) in the former than the later. Also, It was significantly higher (p 00 I) in severe preeclampsia compared to mild preeclampsia groups. A significant positive correlation (r=O. 740, p 0.001) was found between the pulsatility index and cord plasma Jeptin level in the preeclampsia group while there was no significant correlation between each of placental weight, maternal weight, birth weight, ponderal index and cord plasma leptin level. Conclusion: Cord plasma leptin increases significantly in neoborns whose mothers suffere from preeclampsia and this increase is more in neoborns of mothers with severe preeclampsia. These changes plus the significant rise in pulsatilitly index of umbilical artery in preeclamptic women suggest a potential angiogenic regulating role for leptin in preeclampsia and consequently a potential therapeutic role for leptin hormone in preeclampsia. Moreover, this study proved that cord plasma Jeptin is unrelated to placental weight.