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Circulating hepcidin at term pregnancy and in cord blood independently reflects maternal and fetal iron status
Author(s) -
Westerman Mark,
Ervasti Mari,
Punn Kari,
Olbina Gordana,
Ostland Vaughn,
Luukkonen Susanna,
Hein Seppo,
Pulkki Kari,
Sankilampi Ulla
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.lb580
Subject(s) - hepcidin , medicine , cord blood , ferritin , pregnancy , fetus , gestation , venous blood , physiology , iron status , iron deficiency , gestational age , obstetrics , anemia , biology , genetics
Background The aim of this study was to determine serum hepcidin concentrations and its associations with iron status in pregnant women and cord blood. 191 full‐term pregnant women and newborns were studied. Blood from pregnant women was obtained within 24h of delivery, and venous cord blood shortly after birth. Serum hepcidin was measured by C‐ELISA and compared to hematological and iron indices, including ferritin, TfR, %TSat, hsCRP, and EPO. Results Hepcidin in pregnant women was significantly lower than in the cord blood [GMC; 13.5 vs. 72.9 ng/mL, respectively]. Serum hepcidin was <5 ng/ml in 12% of pregnant women and in 2% of newborns. Hepcidin was significantly higher in vaginal and emergency section deliveries, compared to elective Cesarean. In pregnant women at term, 7–8% were iron deficient (Hb<110 g/L or %HYPOm >3.4%). Hepcidin was correlated with hsCRP and gestational weeks. 20% of newborns had Hb <145 g/L and 5% had TSat <30%, and were classified as iron deficient. Reference ranges for serum hepcidin at term pregnancy was 1.4 – 70.6 ng/mL (n=126; median 11.9 ng/mL) and for cord blood, 20.1 – 231.2 ng/mL (n=142; median 77.45 ng/mL). Conclusions Maternal hepcidin levels are suppressed at term facilitating iron transfer to the fetus, while newborn hepcidin levels are normal for the existing iron stores. Research funded by a grant to Kupio University Hospital and by Intrinsic LifeSciences.