The Level of Serum Leptin in Non-Obese Women with and without Gestational Diabetes in Sulaimaniyah City, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Obesity in pregnancy is correlated with pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective:The present work was carried out to compare serum leptin levels in non-obese pregnant women with and without GDM. Methods: This study included 160 pregnant women with gestation ages of 28 – 35 weeks, of which 80 were in a study group (pregnant women with GDM) and the rest were in a control group (pregnant women without GDM). Participants’ age, family health history (Hx), previous Hx, gestational age, parity, and body mass index (BMI) were collected from the women using a questionnaire. Serum leptin level and fetal amniotic index (FAI) were also measured. Results: Significant differences were seen between both groups in terms of their age (p<0.001), parity (p=0.05), BMI (p<0.001), and leptin level (p<0.001) in which women with GDM had higher BMI and leptin levels. The results also indicated that leptin level in the GDM women was correlated with their parity (p=0.04) and BMI (p<0.001), such that multiparous women and overweight women had higher levels of serum leptin. Conclusion: Higher serum leptin was found in GDM women, and an increased gestational age was associated with increased leptin in both GDM and non-GDM women.