Evaluation of plasma leptin levels & BMI as predictor of postpartum weight retention.
OBJECTIVE
Plasma leptin level during pregnancy has been reported as a biochemical predictor of postpartum weight retention. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between pregnancy-related factors including plasma leptin and postpartum weight retention in Korean women.


METHODS
A convenience sampling method was used among women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic in Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, between March 2002 and February 2003. We investigated 75 women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. Plasma leptin levels were measured using an ELISA. The weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, and the correlation between the plasma leptin levels and body weight were evaluated.


RESULTS
The plasma leptin levels at the 1(st) trimester and body weight at 24 wk of gestation, 6 wk, and 6 months postpartum differed significantly between the underweight and overweight groups and between the normal and overweight groups. Plasma leptin levels during the first trimester correlated with the initial BMI at first visit and term, and body weight at term, while the initial BMI significantly correlated with the body weight at term, 6 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the plasma leptin level in the first trimester is a predictor of maternal weight at term, while initial BMI is a better predictor of maternal weight at 6 wk and 6 months postpartum. Further, postpartum weight retention was more dependent on first pre-natal visit factors rather than weight changes during pregnancy. Anthropometric measures at first pre-natal visit to prevent postpartum obesity can be recommended.
Kim
Ki-Hyung
KH
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea.
Kim
Young Joo
YJ
Lee
Sangyeoup
S
Oh
Sang Woo
SW
Lee
Kayoung
K
Park
Yongsoon
Y
Kim
Hyun Jun
HJ
Kwak
Hyun
H
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D020738:Leptin