Comparison of Maori and non-Maori maternal and fetal iron parameters

To investigate the effect of maternal iron stores on the fetus in Maori and non-Maori neonates.

Paired samples of maternal venous and fetal cord blood were compared for haemoglobin, iron, and ferritin. Women were included who had no medical complications and were delivering by elective caesarian section at Hastings Memorial Hospital.

The study involved 124 participants, of whom 31 were Maori. The mothers in our study had normal iron status or were mildly-to-moderately anaemic. Maori mothers had significantly lower haemoglobin levels compared to non-Maori; however there was no significant difference in maternal levels of iron or ferritin. Cord blood parameters for Maori neonates were not different for haemoglobin or iron, however ferritin was significantly lower. When Maori and non-Maori were analysed together, no statistical relationship was found between maternal and fetal cord blood for haemoglobin, iron, and ferritin levels.

Our study suggested that, when analysing our study population of mothers with normal iron status or mild-to-moderate anaemia, iron stores in the fetus were not adversely affected by maternal haemoglobin, ferritin, or iron levels. However, separating for ethnicity, Maori mothers had significantly lower serum haemoglobin values than non-Maori. Furthermore, Maori neonates had significantly lower cord ferritin levels than non-Maori. It is possible that the lower ferritin values seen in Maori neonates compared to non Maori may ultimately contribute to higher rates of anaemia in these infants.