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Does iron-deficient erythropoiesis in pregnancy influence fetal iron supply?
E J Harthoorn-Lasthuizen1, J Lindemans, M M Langenhuijsen
1Laboratory of Hematology, Bosch Medicentrum, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Background:
It was investigated whether the iron status in newborns is negatively influenced by iron-deficient erythropoiesis of the mother during pregnancy.
Methods:
The iron status is characterized by hemoglobin, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin and serum ferritin values. Iron-deficient erythropoiesis of the mother is characterized by erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin values. Measurement of erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin was performed in 103 non-anemic females within 24 hours after delivery. The iron status of their newborns was measured in cord blood.
Results:
Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentrations were normal in 62% and elevated in 38% of the females, hence 39 women had iron-deficient erythropoiesis. There were no significant differences in mean values of the iron status parameters between neonates born to females with iron-deficient erythropoiesis and neonates born to females not having iron-deficient erythropoiesis. No correlation was found between maternal erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin values and any of the neonatal parameters.
Conclusion:
It is concluded that fetal iron supply is not negatively influenced by iron-deficient erythropoiesis in the mother.