Changes in Circulating Kisspeptin Levels During Each Trimester in Women With Antenatal Complications

Context Antenatal complications such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), fetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational diabetes (GDM), and preterm birth (PTB) are associated with placental dysfunction. Kisspeptin has emerged as a putative marker of placental function, but limited data exist describing circulating kisspeptin levels across all 3 trimesters in women with antenatal complications. Objective We aimed to assess whether kisspeptin levels are altered in women with antenatal complications. Methods Women with antenatal complications (n = 105) and those with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 265) underwent serial ultrasound scans and blood sampling at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at Hammersmith Hospital, UK, at least once during each trimester (March 2014 to March 2017). The women with antenatal complications (HDP [n = 32], FGR [n = 17], GDM [n = 35], PTB [n = 11], and multiple complications [n=10]) provided 373 blood samples and the controls provided 930 samples. Differences in circulating kisspeptin levels were assessed. Results Third-trimester kisspeptin levels were higher than controls in HDP but lower in FGR. The odds of HDP adjusted for gestational age, maternal age, ethnicity, BMI, smoking, and parity were increased by 30% (95% CI, 16%-47%; P < 0.0001), and of FGR were reduced by 28% (95% CI, 4-46%; P = 0.025), for every 1 nmol/L increase in plasma kisspeptin. Multiple of gestation-specific median values of kisspeptin were higher in pregnancies affected by PTB (P = 0.014) and lower in those with GDM (P = 0.020), but not significantly on multivariable analysis. Conclusion We delineate changes in circulating kisspeptin levels at different trimesters and evaluate the potential of kisspeptin as a biomarker for antenatal complications.

Automated summary

Our study aimed to evaluate the changes in circulating kisspeptin levels in women with antenatal complications. The results showed that third-trimester kisspeptin levels were higher in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) but lower in those with fetal growth restriction (FGR). We found that the odds of HDP increased by 30% and the odds of FGR decreased by 28% for every 1 nmol/L increase in plasma kisspeptin.