Fetal and maternal leptin in pre-gestational diabetic pregnancy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare maternal and fetal leptin among women without diabetes, women with type 1 diabetes, and women with type 2 diabetes. MethodsIn a prospective study at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, 40 women with type 1 diabetes, 10 with type 2 diabetes, and 30 without diabetes were enrolled between July 2006 and July 2008. Maternal (36-week) and cord blood leptin was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. ResultsNo difference was found in maternal leptin among the groups: without diabetes (mean, range): 325pg/mL, 36–1492pg/mL; type 1 diabetes: 343.2pg/mL, 55.5–1108.2pg/mL; type 2 diabetes: 202.2pg/mL, 35.1–1553.3pg/mL (P>0.05). Leptin levels were higher among fetuses of women with type 1 (223pg/mL, 25.7–810pg/mL) and type 2 (447.2pg/mL, 136.3–679pg/mL) diabetes than among women without diabetes (80.3pg/mL, 27.3–623.1pg/mL; P<0.05). The single significant predictor of fetal leptin for the whole cohort was maternal body mass index (BMI; r=0.39, P=0.01). Only third-trimester glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly related to fetal leptin after controlling for maternal BMI among women with diabetes (r=0.28, P=0.04). ConclusionFetuses of women with diabetes might have some degree of leptin resistance. This might be important in appetite regulation in extrauterine life.