title: Serum leptin levels in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine serum leptin levels in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, cross-sectional, case control study, we measured serum leptin levels of 58 hypertensive pregnant women and 54 normal pregnant women. We also did blood and urine analysis for the evaluation of the severity of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. The patients were followed until after delivery and information about labour was recorded. We analysed the difference and correlation between anthropometric measures, hormonal and biochemical parameters, and serum leptin levels in two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study group, serum leptin levels were determined to be higher than the control group. Neonatal birth weight was significantly lower in the hypertensive group. While the serum uric acid, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, fibronectin, and fasting blood glucose levels were found to be higher, serum total protein and albumin levels were significantly lower among the hypertensive pregnant women. Hypertensive pregnant women were more insulin resistant. Serum leptin levels were highly and positively correlated with serum fibronectin, and C peptide levels. A negative significant correlation was observed between maternal serum leptin levels and neonatal birth weight among the pregnant women having the hypertensive disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum leptin levels in hypertensive pregnant women appear to be higher. The determination of serum leptin levels may be as important as serum fibronectin and C peptide levels in the management of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. C peptide and insulin may be due to hyperinsulinemia which leads to increased stimulation of leptin production by fatty tissue. Insulin resistance which appears in late pregnancy is more significant especially in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: University of Istanbul, Medical School of Cerrahpaşa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul, Turkey. sozkan1972@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sebiha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Cemal Tamer
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Erel
authors.forename: Riza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madazli
authors.forename: Kiliç
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aydinli
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
chemical_list: D002096:C-Peptide; D005353:Fibronectins; D020738:Leptin