Differences in umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels by mode of delivery

Objective: To investigate the differences in umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels by mode of delivery. Methods: Subjects were 30 mothers who had elective cesarean deliveries and 34 mothers who had vaginal deliveries. Umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels were measured immediately after delivery. Maternal age, neonatal ge nder, neonatal birth weight, placental weight, and gestational duration wer e recorded. Inter- and intragroup comparisons were made in umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels and obstetric variables. Significant determinan ts of differences in umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels were inves tigated. Results: Umbilical venous and arterial leptin levels were higher in the vag inal delivery group (n = 34) than in the cesarean group (n = 30) (P < .01). In the vaginal delivery group, umbilical venous leptin levels were signifi cantly higher than arterial leptin levels (P < .001). These differences wer e still significant after adjustment for neonatal gender, neonatal birth we ight, and placental weight. However, in the cesarean group, leptin levels d id not differ between umbilical vein and artery. Conclusion: Placental leptin release is augumented during advanced labor. ( Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:3426. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstetrici ans and Gynecologists).