Use of serum leptin and insulin hormones levels as predictors of pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with history of recurrent early pregnancy loss

Abstract Aim To evaluate levels of leptin and insulin in cases of unexplained early RPL in comparison with cases of previous normal pregnancies and suggest these levels as prognostic factors for the continuation of pregnancy beyond the 20th week. Methods A prospective comparative controlled study was conducted at Obstetrics unit of Tanta University Hospital from Jan to Aug 2014 on 50 pregnant women who were divided into two groups: the study group included 25 cases with history of early RPL, and the control group included 25 cases with previous normal pregnancies. Serum levels of leptin and insulin were measured twice in both groups; at 5–8th and 10–12th week. Results Leptin levels in ng/ml in the first sample were 9.414 ± 3.183 and 30.559 ± 10.672 in the control and study groups respectively with significant difference. As for the second sample, it was 11.672 ± 2.611 and 29.733 ± 9.133 in the control and study groups respectively with significant difference. Insulin levels in μlU/ml in the first sample were 18.075 ± 5.845 and 32.502 ± 13.057 in the control and study groups respectively with significant difference. In the second sample, on the other hand, it was 20.237 ± 4.944 and 34.128 ± 12.677 in the control and study groups respectively with significant difference. Leptin showed higher accuracy than insulin in prediction of early pregnancy loss. Conclusion Higher levels of leptin and insulin were found in cases with early RPL especially in the aborted cases. The two hormones could be used as predictors of pregnancy continuation in these cases.