Lep

This study investigated the relationship between maternal plasma leptin concentrations in early pregnancy and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Among 823 women, 5.7% (47) developed GDM. Elevated leptin concentrations at 13 weeks of gestation were significantly associated with an increased risk of GDM (P for trend <.001). After adjusting for maternal pre-pregnancy adiposity and other confounders, women with leptin concentrations ≥31.0 ng/mL had a 4.7-fold increased risk of GDM (95% CI: 1.2–18.0) compared to those with concentrations ≤14.3 ng/mL. A linear trend was observed, with each 10-ng/mL increase in leptin levels corresponding to a 20% increase in GDM risk (RR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3). The findings suggest that hyperleptinemia in early pregnancy, independent of maternal adiposity, is predictive of increased GDM risk, warranting further research to confirm its etiological role.