Leptin, insulin like growth factor-I levels and histology-diagnosed placental malaria in an area characterized by unstable malaria transmission in central Sudan

Background:  There are few published data on the association between leptin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and malaria during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate maternal and umbilical cord leptin and IGF-1 levels and malaria during pregnancy, and their association - if any - with birth weight. Methods: : A cross-sectional study was conducted at Medani, Sudan. Medical and obstetrics history was gathered from each parturient woman (n=175) and malaria was investigated by blood film and placental histology. Maternal and umbilical cord leptin and IGF-1 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: : Upon histological examination, 48 women were infected with placental malaria, and 127 were found free from the disease. Out of the 48, 2 of the patients showed signs of active infection, 3 of chronic infection and 43 of previous infection. Placental malaria and preterm delivery were associated with low birth weight (< 2500 g). Younger mothers and primigravidae had a higher risk for placental malaria infection. There was no significant difference in maternal and umbilical cord leptin and IGF-1 levels between women infected with placental malaria and those free from the disease. Conclusions: : The current study showed that low birth weight was significantly associated with placental malaria. Young mothers and primigravidae had a higher risk to develop the infection. There was no significant difference in the levels of maternal and umbilical cord leptin and IGF-1 levels between women infected with placental malaria and those free from the disease. Both the levels of maternal and cord leptin and IGF-1were found not to be associated with birth weight. Abbreviations: IGF-1: Insulin like growth factor-1; LBW: Low birth weight; ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; PM: Placental malaria.