Correlation between leptin and leptin binding activity in women with recurrent miscarriage and pregnancy outcome

This study was conducted to determine plasma leptin and leptin binding activity [LBA] concentrations during the first trimester in women who had a history of at least three miscarriages and correlate their levels with the subsequent outcome for these pregnant women. Prospective selective study. Al zahraa university antenatal outpatient clinic from March 2002 till October 2004. The study was conducted on 43 pregnant women who had a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage, plasma leptin and leptin-binding activity [LBA] were measured during weeks 5-6 and 7-8 of pregnancy, and the concentrations were correlated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Concentrations of leptin ranged from 1.4-62.8 ng/ml, but there was a strong correlation [r = 0.820, P < 0.001] between leptin values at week 5-6 and 7-8 in the same woman. Women who subsequently miscarried had significantly lower plasma leptin concentrations on both weeks 5-6 [13.32 +/- 2.2 ng/ml] [P < 0.05] and 7-8 [13.72 +/- 2.3 ng/ml] [P <0.01] of pregnancy, than women who subsequently had a term birth [22.06 +/- 3.68 ng/ml] at week 5-6, and [24.74 +/- 3.66 ng/ml] at week 7-8. LBA values ranged from 1-8.5% but there was no significant difference in LBA in blood obtained from women who subsequently miscarried or had a live birth. The significantly lower concentrations of leptin in women who subsequently miscarried suggest that leptin may play a role in preventing miscarriage. However as there was a considerable overlap between the values of leptin in women who subsequently miscarried, and those that had a live birth, these measurements are of limited use in the prediction of pregnancy outcome in these women

Second -trimester placental and renal 3 D sonographic volumetry, a predictor of neonatal outcome in normal and complicated pregnancy with PIH, PET and IUGR

A prospective study evaluated the significance of second Trimester 3D sonographic placental and renal volumetric measurements in the prediction of fetal outcome in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated with PET and IUGR to determine their mutual relationship. A total of thirty five pregnant women were recruited from the antenatal clinic of Al Zahraa and Bab El Sharia University hospitals, during the first half of their pregnancies, with singleton pregnancies who fulfilled the study criteria and progressed to delivery. Placental and renal volumes, and fetal anthropometry [biparietal diameter, head and abdominal circumferences, and femoral length] were measured sonographically at 14, 17, 20 weeks and the patients were followed until delivery The main outcome measures were infant birth and placental weights, crown-heel length, head, chest and abdominal circumferences at birth. Measurements of Placental and renal volumes in the second trimester were positively associated with all birth measurements. Among the fetal measurements at 14 and 17 weeks, head circumference was the strongest predictor of birth weight, but at 20 weeks abdominal circumference was the strongest. However at each age, placental volume was the strongest determination of birth weight. There was also significant difference between second trimester placental and renal volumes in patients who subsequently developed pregnancy induced hypertension, PET. And IUGR in reralation to control group with normal pregnancy [P<0.01]

Maternal and cord plasma leptin, insulin, and somatotropin components in correlation with neonatal birth weight and pre-eclamptic women

Both pre-eclampsia and neonatal birth weight could be interrelated and are regulated by some factors. The present study was carried to assess correlation of pre-eclampsia and neonatal birth weight with Leptin, insulin, and Somatotropic components-Three groups of pregnant women were included 12 women with severe pre-eclampsia [SPE]. 15 women with mild pre-eclampsia [MPE]. and 20 women with normal pregnancy [Control]. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken and assayed for leptin, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 by two step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. SPE group had significant Low birth weight [P<0.05] while MPE had non-significant relatively low birth weight P>0.05]. Maternal plasma leptin and insulin were increased [P<0.001, P<0.01 respectively in SPE and P<0.01 for both in MPE]. Maternal IGF-1 was significantly lowered [P<0.01 in SPE and P<0.05 in MPE] when compared to control. IGFBP-3 was significantly lowered in SPE and MPE [P<0.001] IGFBP-1 was significantly higher in SPE [P<0.001] than MPE [P<0.05] when compared to control. Cord blood samples had significantly lowered IGF-1 [P<0.01 in SPE, P<0.05 in MPE], significantly increased IGFBP-1 [P<0.001 in SPF, P<0.01 in MPE], and significantly decreased IGFBP-3 [P<0.01 in SPE, P<0.05 in MPE]. Ilypreinsulinemia and hypreleptinemia seemed to correlate more with pre-eclampsia than neonatal birth weight. Maternal IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 correlated more with pre-eclampsia. Cord plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 correlated with neonatal birth weight. We conclude that maternal Hyperinsulinemia and Hyperleptinelnia may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia while IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are more related to the severity of pre-eclampsia Fetal IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 are considered to be compensatory mechanism against placental hypoxia in pre-eclampsia

Midtrimester dyslipidemia and early onset pre-eclampsia

Pre eclampsia is believed to be a disorder of vascular endothelium. Early onset pre eclampsia exhibits features that are unusual in late onset disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hypertriglyceridemic dyslipidemia is a risk factor for either early or late onset pre eclampsia. The samples examined were 300 pregnant non diabetic with signgleton pregnancies during their second trimester between 16 - 24 weeks, blood samples were obtained from fasting subjects at 18 weeks of gestation. All samples were analysed for triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipo proteins cholesterol and low density lipo proteins cholesterol: ApOB-100 were in pre eclamptic women in matched controls. The main outcome measures adjusted odds ratios of early and late onset pre-eclampsia according to early second trimester serum concentration levels of lipids and ApOB 100. Nine women developed early onset pre eclampsia and 26 women developed late onset pre-eclampsia. In the Cohort model, women with triglycerides above 2.4 mmol/L has increased risk [OR5.1; 95% CI 1.1 - 23.1] of early onset pre eclampsia compared with those with triglycerides levels 90 centile] the OR [95% CI] for early onset pre-eclampsia was 7.1 [2.3 - 22.0] compared with those with low ratios [