The Association of Body Mass Index and Serum Adiponectin Levels During The Second and Third Trimesters of Healthy Pregnant Women

Background:Adiponectin is a pivotal protein that controls metabolic homeostasis, exhibiting features that enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. Adiponectin levels decline progressively during mid- and late pregnancy, following the rise in insulin resistance and the increase in gestational weight gain to support fetal growth and development.Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the association of serum adiponectin levels with body mass index (BMI) and random blood sugar in healthy pregnant women during the second and third trimesters.Materials and methods: A case-control study included 100 healthy pregnant women and 100 healthy non-pregnant women as controls; the BMI was calculated manually, random blood sugar was tested using a glucometer, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique estimated the serum levels of adiponectin. An independent t-test and a Pearson correlation test were used to analyze the data. Significant results are defined as a p-value less than 0.05.Results: The serum levels of adiponectin progressively declined from the second to the third trimesters compared with the control group; however, it was statistically non-significant (P-value = 0.901). Adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with BMI in the second and control groups and positively correlated with BMI in the second trimester (r = -0.005, r = -0.129, r = 0.096), respectively. No relationship was found between adiponectin levels and random blood sugar (RBS) in the second and third trimesters and control groups (r = 0.102, r = 0.042, r = 0.050), respectively. No statistically significant associations were observed among each group (P-value > 0.05).Conclusions: The decline of serum adiponectin levels as pregnancy progresses, in parallel with the rise of BMI and random blood sugar, supports the physiological role of adiponectin in maintaining fetal growth and development.