Abstract:
Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that plays a critical role in energy homeostasis,
mainly attributed to its insulin-sensitizing properties. Accumulating studies have reported
that adiponectin concentrations are decreased during metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type
2 diabetes, with an emerging body of evidence providing support for its use as a biomarker for
pregnancy complications. The identification of maternal factors that could predict the outcome of
compromised pregnancies could act as valuable tools that allow the early recognition of high-risk
pregnancies, facilitating close follow-up and prevention of pregnancy complications in mother and
child. In this review we consider the role of adiponectin as a potential biomarker of disorders
associated with pregnancy. We discuss common disorders associated with pregnancy (gestational
diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm birth and abnormal intrauterine growth) and highlight
studies that have investigated the potential of adiponectin to serve as biomarkers for these disorders.
We conclude the review by recommending strategies to consider for future research.
