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To evaluate whether obesity is associated with changes in pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines in pregnancy.

We performed a cross-sectional study using maternal serum from the early second trimester to examine biomarkers associated with inflammation in relation to maternal body mass index (n=80 total).

Leptin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly different between groups and increased with increasing body mass index. MCP-1 was significantly increased in the morbidly obese mothers. Interleukin-2 exhibited a U-shaped relationship with body mass index; transforming growth factor-β1 demonstrated a nonsignificant negative trend with body mass index; and the levels of hepatocyte growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-α did not differ appreciably between groups.

Maternal obesity in pregnancy is associated with changes in cytokines …