Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are associated to low maternal circulating kisspeptin levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There are contradictory data concerning kisspeptin in gravids with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (GH).

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of studies comparing maternal kisspeptin levels in gravids with and without preeclampsia or GH.

Material And Methods: We searched PubMed, LILACS, and CNKI list of articles up to 20 August 2021, without language limitations, comparing circulating maternal kisspeptin levels, and maternal and neonatal outcomes in gravids with and without preeclampsia or GH. Meta-analyzed results are reported as standardized mean differences (SMD), and their 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: Seven studies with a low-to-moderate risk of bias were eligible for meta-analysis. Gravids with preeclampsia or GH displayed significantly lower circulating kisspeptin levels (SMD, -0.68, 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.32), lower gestational ages at delivery (SMD, -2.22, 95% CI, -3.25 to -1.18), and birth weight (SMD, -2.16, 95% CI, -3.15 to -1.17), and significantly higher body mass indices (MD, 0.56, 95% CI, 0.24-0.88), systolic (SMD, 2.87, 95% CI, 2.22-3.53), and diastolic blood pressures (SMD, 2.57, 95% CI, 2.19-2.95).

Conclusion: Gravids with preeclampsia or GH had lower kisspeptin levels as compared to normotensive controls.