Serum leptin level in the first trimester in ectopic versus normal pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal serum leptin level is different or not in ectopic and normal pregnancy.

METHODS: In this cross sectional study, we included 47 women with normal pregnancy (group A), and 47 women with ectopic pregnancy (group B) attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afzalipour Medical Centre, Kerman, Iran from January 2009 to February 2010. Previous history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, </=25 body mass index (BMI), </=19 kg/m2, using drugs during pregnancy except for multivitamin and folic acid, unstable conditions requiring emergency laparatomy, and cigarette smoking were considered as exclusion criteria. The maximum gestational age in both groups was 8 weeks. Maternal serum leptin level was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in maternal age, gestational age, and body mass index. Women in group B (median [range]: 30.93 [14.8-84.2]) showed significantly higher serum leptin level in comparison with group A (median [range]: 32.74 [8.4-8.61]).

CONCLUSION: Serum leptin level in the first trimester of pregnancy may be a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.