Preeclampsia and adiponectin in cord blood

Abstract

Aims: To compare cord blood concentrations of total adiponectin in the offspring of pregnancies with and without preeclampsia.

Methods: Using a Luminex analyzer, cord blood adiponectin was measured in 182 singleton pregnancies with preeclampsia and compared to adiponectin measured in 511 singleton pregnancies without preeclampsia.

Results: Adiponectin levels in cord blood increased with increasing gestational age, but overall, crude levels were similar in pregnancies with and without preeclampsia. However, in pregnancies with early delivery (weeks 32-36), and in pregnancies with delivery after spontaneous contractions, adiponectin levels were higher in the preeclampsia group.

Conclusion: In preterm pregnancies and in pregnancies with spontaneous contractions, adiponectin levels in cord blood were higher in the preeclampsia group than in pregnancies without preeclampsia, maybe reflecting the need to optimize energy in preeclampsia.