Elevated Maternal Leptin Levels and Higher Birth Weight in Obese Mothers Compared with Normal-weight Mothers

Background: Maternal obesity is associated with disrupted metabolic regulation, including elevated leptin levels that may affect fetal growth. Previous studies have reported mixed findings on maternal and cord blood leptin concentrations, with some showing higher leptin levels in infants born to obese mothers, while others found no significant differences. Associations between maternal obesity and neonatal outcomes have also been inconsistent. This study aims to generate new evidence from an Indonesian cohort by comparing maternal and cord blood leptin levels, as well as neonatal outcomes, between obese and normal-weight mothers.Materials and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study enrolled 30 obese and 30 normal-weight mothers from two hospitals in Padang, Indonesia. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected at delivery, and leptin levels were measured using ELISA. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, length, head circumference, and ponderal index. Data were analyzed using Independent Samples t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, with p