Decreased serum levels of kisspeptin in early pregnancy are associated with intra‐uterine growth restriction and pre‐eclampsia

Abstract

Kisspeptin levels are lower in maternal serum in the second trimester, in pregnancies associated with placental dysfunction. The differences in kisspeptin are modest, so although not forming a single screening marker in pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction, measurement of kisspeptin may be useful in combination with other markers. Understanding the role of kisspeptin in the establishment of the placenta may further our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying placental function.