Serum Adiponectin, Visfatin, and Omentin Compared between Non-pregnant and Pregnant Women in Overall, Non-obese, and Obese subjects

Objective: This study aimed to compare serum adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin between non-pregnant and pregnant women in overall, non-obese, and obese subjects. Methods: There were 40 pregnant and 33 non-pregnant women classified by body mass index (BMI) into non-obese or obese subjects. Fasting blood samples were collected in the morning for the non-pregnant group and before delivery for the pregnant group. Results: Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower, but plasma insulin levels were significantly higher in pregnant when compared to non-pregnant women in overall, non-obese, and obese women (p<0.05 all). The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly higher, but the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was significantly lower only in obese pregnant when compared to obese non-pregnant women (p<0.01 all). However, in non-obese women, HOMA-IR and QUICKI were comparable between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Serum adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin were significantly lower in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women in overall, non-obese, and obese groups (p<0.05 all). In pregnant women, serum adiponectin and omentin levels were significantly lower in obese compared to non-obese pregnant women while serum visfatin levels were comparable in both groups. Serum adiponectin levels were highest followed by omentin and visfatin, respectively in both non-obese and obese pregnant groups. These results indicated that lower serum adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin in pregnant women might contribute to higher insulin resistance in pregnancy. Furthermore, serum adiponectin and omentin were reduced in increasing adiposity similarly to non-pregnant women. Conclusion: Lower serum adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin in pregnant women might lead to decreased insulin sensitivity in these women

Serum Neuropeptide Y and Leptin Levels compared between Non-pregnant and Pregnant Women in Overall, Non-obese, and Obese Subjects

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare serum NPY and leptin levels between non-pregnant and pregnant women in overall, non-obese, and obese subjects. The secondary objective was to compare these peptides between non-obese and obese pregnant women. Methods: Fasting venous blood was collected from non-pregnant women before open abdominal surgery and from pregnant women when admitted to the delivery room during the latent phase of labor. Results: There were 12 non-obese and 14 obese subjects in the non-pregnant group and 9 non-obese and 30 obese subjects in the pregnant group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was comparable, but heart rate (HR) was higher in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. Mean±S.E.M serum NPY levels were lower in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant group in overall (0.54±0.02 and 1.34±0.08, respectively), non-obese (0.53±0.05 and 1.23±0.14, respectively), and obese (0.54±0.03 and 1.43±0.09, respectively) subjects (p<0.01 for all), but these were comparable between obese and non- obese pregnant subjects. Serum NPY was positively correlated with SBP (R=0.281, p<0.05), but negatively correlated with HR (R=-0.324, p<0.01). Serum leptin levels were not different between pregnant and non-pregnant groups, but were significantly higher in obese than non-obese pregnant subjects (p<0.001). Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences in overall and pregnant subjects (p<0.001 all). Conclusion: In pregnancy, decreased NPY levels might be associated with inhibition of SBP rising as well as increased HR. Leptin levels might not be associated with pregnancy, but associated mainly with obesity

Prevalence of Repeat Pregnancy Including Pregnancy Outcome of Teenage Women

Objective: To determine the prevalence and possible factors of repeat teenage pregnancy including their pregnancy outcomes compared to primi-gravida teenage pregnancy. Methods: 1,684 medical records of teenage pregnancy delivered or received termination of pregnancy at Siriraj hospital from July 2009 to June 2011 were reviewed. The characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of primi- and multi-gravida teenage pregnancies were studied and compared between groups. Results: The prevalence of repeat pregnancies among the study population was around 20% (338/1,684). Age of multi-gravida teenagers and their husbands were significantly higher than those of primi-gravida. Only 5% of primigravida and 25% of multi-gravida were documented as using contraception before getting pregnant (p < 0.001). Oral contraceptive was the most common method using in both groups. Multi-gravida teenagers were significantly diagnosed as anemia before delivery or termination of pregnancy (p = 0.03), although immediate pregnancy outcomes among the two groups were not significantly different. Before they were discharged from the hospital, less than half of them got immediate contraceptive methods especially long-acting reversible contraception. Conclusion: The prevalence of repeat pregnancy among teenagers at Siriraj Hospital was approximately 20%. Lack of proper contraception might be the factor related to repeat pregnancy. Although immediate pregnancy outcomes among primi-and multi-gravida teenagers were not significantly different, long term outcomes of both teenage mothers and their children were still limited