Relationship Between Placenta and Plasma Ghrelin Levels Taken After Birth and Preterm Birth

Objective Preterm birth (PB) poses a major risk for infant mortality and morbidity, particularly in countries with low socioeconomic status. The pathophysiological mechanisms associated with preterm birth have not yet been fully elucidated. Identifying and eliminating the causes will reduce the incidence of preterm birth. In our study, we investigated possible associations between plasma and placental ghrelin levels immediately after birth and preterm birth. Methods A total of 72 volunteers, including 60 women who had given birth to live babies and 12 non-pregnant women, were included in the study. The women who had given birth to live babies were divided into three groups: term (n = 24), early preterm (n = 19), and late preterm (n = 17). Plasma ghrelin levels, blood glucose, arterial blood pressure, body temperature, body weight, height, and body mass index were determined in all groups. In addition, ghrelin content was measured in placental tissue samples from subjects who had given birth. Objective In this study, we aimed to determine placental and plasma ghrelin levels in pregnant women who had preterm births and to investigate their possible relationship with preterm birth. Our findings may contribute to the identification of new strategies in the pathophysiology and treatment of preterm birth and to the reduction of the incidence of preterm birth. Result When looking at anthropometric parameters, women with the lowest body weight and body mass index (BMI) were found to be in the early preterm group (p = 0.001). Plasma and placental ghrelin levels were significantly higher in the early preterm group compared to the other groups (p = 0.001). We found significant correlations between plasma and placental ghrelin levels in all pregnant groups and gestational age, body weight, and birth weight of infants (p = 0.01, R2 = 0.296). Conclusion The significant increase in plasma and placental levels of ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, in women who deliver preterm may indicate that it plays an important role in the pathophysiology of preterm birth.