Relationship between kisspeptin levels in the third trimester and late-onset fetal growth restriction: A case-control study

Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether maternal serum kisspeptin levels are associated with late-onset FGR and contribute to adverse perinatal outcomes.Method: In this case-control study, a total of 90 pregnant women admitted to the perinatology clinic were enrolled. Forty-five of them were diagnosed with FGR and 45 women with healthy pregnancies formed the control group. Maternal serum levels of kisspeptin 1 were compared.Results: Median kisspeptin1 serum levels were higher in the group of patients with FGR according to gestational age than in the control group [79.4(3.9-230.2) pg/mL vs. 39.8(0.4-188.3) pg/mL; p = 0.001]. The optimal cut-off value for kisspeptin1 was 30.32 pg/mL, with a positive predictive value of 64.6% (95% CI; 0.54-0.86), negative predictive value of 87.5% (95% CI; 0.44-0.72), positive likelihood ratio 1.75 (95% CI; 1.31-2.32), negative likelihood ratio 0.14 (95% CI; 0.04-0.44).Discussion: Kisspeptin1 differed significantly in late-onset FGR compared with the control group. This difference from the control group can be used to estimate late-onset FGR.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the association between maternal serum kisspeptin levels and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) and their contribution to adverse perinatal outcomes. A case-control study was conducted with 90 pregnant women, 45 diagnosed with FGR and 45 with healthy pregnancies. Serum levels of kisspeptin 1 were compared between the two groups. The results showed that kisspeptin1 levels were significantly higher in the FGR group compared to the control group, suggesting that it could be used as a potential biomarker for late-onset FGR.