Maternal and fetal adipokine levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among south Indian population

Introduction: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) is a multi-systemic disorder of pregnancy, complicating 2-8% of pregnancies and contributes to considerable maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Alterations in maternal and cord blood adipokine levels in HDP remain unclear. Aim and Objective: To assess the alteration of maternal and fetal adipokine levels in normal pregnancy and HDP and correlate with clinical characteristics. Materials and Methods: Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples and clinical details were collected from 25 healthy pregnant women, 25 Gestational Hypertension (GHTN) and 25 preeclamptic (PE) women. Maternal and umbilical cord blood levels of Adiponectin, Resistin and Leptin levels were estimated by ELISA. Results: Maternal and Umbilical cord Adiponectin levels and Umbilical cord resistin levels were significantly elevated in Preeclampsia group than Control and GHTN group. No significant differences were observed in the maternal resistin, leptin and umbilical cord leptin levels. Gestational age at the time of delivery (GA) and Birth weight of baby were significantly lower in preeclampsia group than control and GHTN group. BMI were significantly elevated in GHTN group than control group. Maternal and cord blood Adiponectin levels were positively correlated with severity of proteinuria, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure and negatively correlated with age, GA. Cord blood Resistin levels were positively correlated with GA and Birth weight of baby and negatively correlated with Systolic blood pressure and severity of proteinuria. Conclusion: Increase in Maternal and Umbilical cord blood Adiponectin levels and decrease in Umbilical cord blood resistin levels could be part of a physiological feedback mechanism improving insulin sensitivity of Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.