Abstract

Introduction: Down syndrome is a genetic disorder and the leading cause of mental retardation, which leads to a delay in motor skills, power, and motor-vision control. The leptin level plays a role in the growth of the embryo and the normal evolution of the brain. Therefore, the present study aimed at comparing and finding the relationship between the leptin level in amniotic fluid in fetuses with and without Down syndrome. Methods and Materials: This is a case-control study. The sample size included 15 cases with Down syndrome and 30 cases without Down syndrome. The convenience sampling was performed among the patients who were referred to Ali Ebn Abitaleb Hospital in 2017-2018. The leptin level was measured using ELISA. Finally, the leptin level was compared in two groups of fetuses with and without Down syndrome. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.21. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the mean leptin level in human serum in two groups (p>0.957). However, the mean leptin level in the amniotic fluid in the healthy group and Down syndrome group was 3.703±1.721 and 2.847±1.32, respectively, which showed a no significant difference (p>0.682). Conclusion: The results showed that the leptin level in amniotic fluid in mothers with fetuses with Down syndrome was less than mothers with healthy fetuses. Also, the leptin level of serum in the Down syndrome group was insignificantly higher than the control group.