Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model
Published on: June 18, 2013
Prohepcidin levels during human perinatal adaptation
1First Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. balad@gyerl.sote.hu
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to test for the presence of prohepcidin in cord blood, to gauge its alteration during the early postnatal period, and to look for a possible association with neonatal iron homeostasis. Cord blood and postnatal venous blood samples were taken from 20 healthy neonates. In both kinds of samples the presence prohepcidin could be detected. No association was found between cord blood and postnatal samples prohepcidin and iron homeostasis. However, an association is demonstrated between cord blood prohepcidin values and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Prohepcidin increased postnatally in half of the neonates, indicating the active synthesis of the molecule. Interestingly, neonates with detectable non-protein-bound iron levels in cord blood were presented with lower prohepcidin concentrations. Association between cord blood prohepcidin and MCHC may suggest a possible link between hepcidin and fetal iron homeostasis.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions