Cord leptin level and fetal macrosomia

Objective: To determine the relationships among serum leptin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin levels in large for gestational age (LGA) infa nts. Methods: Serum samples were collected from maternal veins and umbilical art eries of 52 consecutive, term, LGA neonates of nondiabetic mothers. Materna l and neonatal serum samples were analyzed for levels of leptin, insulinlik e growth factor-I, and insulin by specific radioimmunoassays. Multiple regr ession analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for fetal ma crosomia. Results: The independent risk factor significantly associated with fetal ma crosomia was umbilical cord leptin concentration (P < .01, <beta> = 0.59). There was a statistically significant correlation between umbilical cord le ptin and insulin-like growth factor-I levels and birth weight (r = 0.51, P < .01; r = 0.37, P < .01; respectively). The correlation between umbilical cord insulin levels and birth weight was not statistically significant (r = 0.06, P = .63), nor was that between maternal body mass index and birth we ight (r = 0.09, P = .50). Conclusion: Our data showed that umbilical cord leptin concentration was an independent risk factor for fetal macrosomia. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:707- 13. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).