Serum leptin levels and relationship with maternal weight gain at term among obese and non-obese pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine and compare the mean maternal serum leptin levels, the prevalence of high serum leptin levels and mean gestational weight gain at term among obese and non-obese pregnant women in Enugu, Nigeria.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional comparative study enrolled obese and non-obese pregnant women. The serum leptin levels of the women were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were obtained and compared. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was determined.

RESULTS:

A total of 170 pregnant women were included in the study. The mean ± SD serum leptin level (99.39 ± 50.2 ng/ml) and the prevalence of hyperleptinaemia (81 of 85 patients; 95.3%) among the obese pregnant women at term were significantly higher than those of the non-obese pregnant women (48.98 ± 30.35 ng/ml/65 of 85 patients; 76.5%). The mean percentage weight gain was significantly higher in the non-obese women compared with the obese women at term. The predictors of high maternal serum leptin level at term among the participants were the employment status and levels of education of the participants.

CONCLUSION:

Maternal serum leptin level, maternal weight gain and prevalence of hyperleptinaemia at term were significantly higher in the obese compared with the non-obese pregnant women.

• Authors: Joseph Tochukwu Enebe, Nympha Onyinye Enebe, Theresa Ukamaka Nwagha, Ijeoma Angela Meka, Malackay Ezenwaeze Nwankwo, Emmanuel Obiora Izuka, John Okafor Egede, Innocent Anayochukwu Ugwu, Ngozi Ijeoma Okoro, Helen Chioma Okoye, Chukwuemeka Anthony Iyoke
• Journal: The Journal of international medical research (J Int Med Res) Vol. 51 Issue 11 Pg. 3000605231213265 (Nov 2023) ISSN: 1473-2300 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 38017364 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Leptin

Topics

• Female
• Humans
• Pregnancy
• Body Mass Index
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Gestational Weight Gain
• Leptin
• Nigeria (epidemiology)
• Obesity
• Pregnant Women
• Weight Gain