Is there a relationship between delivery mode and serum irisin levels in pregnant women?

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of our study was to find out whether exercise of the pelvic muscles during vaginal delivery increases maternal and cord blood irisin levels. Methods: This prospective study included 20 patients who vaginally delivered their babies and 20 patients that underwent elective cesarean section. In the vaginal delivery group, delivery occured either spontaneously or by induction. In the other group, the patients were electively operated before uterine contractions started. We compared serum irisin levels of the two groups and cord blood irisin levels of the babies of these mothers. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in maternal serum irisin levels between the two groups (p>0.05). We also found no statistically significant difference in cord blood irisin levels (p>0.05). The positive correlation between maternal and cord blood irisin levels was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). We also detected a significant positive correlation between maternal irisin levels and BMI in our study (p<0.05). Conclusions: Irisin is a challenging molecule. Although we did not find a significant difference in the irisin levels of women according to the method of delivery, we feel that further investigations are warranted.