Association of plasma leptin levels with outcome of induction of labour in pregnant women

Maternal obesity is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of miscarriage, congenital anomalies, macrosomia, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and stillbirth. Leptin is an important biomarker responsible for the regulation of energy homeostasis. It has regulatory effects on neuronal tissue, vascular smooth muscle, and nonvascular smooth muscle systems . Placenta is also a major source of leptin production during pregnancy.

Leptin has been identified as an independent predictor of dysfunctional labor and is associated with increased risk of failed induction of labor resulting in cesarean section.It may play an important role in dysfunctional labor and be associated with the outcome of induction of labor at term. Our aim is to determine whether maternal plasma leptin concentration is indicative of the outcome of induction of labor at term. We hypothesize that elevated maternal plasma leptin levels are associated with a failed term induction of labor resulting in a cesarean delivery.

Ref - Cowman, W., Scroggins, S.M., Hamilton, W.S. Association between plasma leptin and cesarean section after induction of labor: a case control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, Article no. 29. 2022