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Free erythrocyte porphyrins in cord blood
Insights
Elevated free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) in newborn blood may signal iron deficiency at birth. This finding in term and preterm infants warrants further investigation into early iron status.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) levels can reflect iron status.
- Iron deficiency is a common concern in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine FEP levels in cord blood of term and preterm infants.
- To compare infant FEP levels with those of older children.
- To investigate the relationship between FEP, iron status, and other factors in newborns.
Main Methods:
- Red cell FEP determinations on cord blood from 236 term and 63 preterm infants (<1,500 gm).
- Comparison with FEP values from 398 normal infants and children (1-6 years).
- Analysis of FEP levels in relation to blood lead concentration, hematocrit, serum iron, and transferrin saturation.
Main Results:
- Mean FEP values were significantly higher in infants compared to controls.
- 10.5% of term and 15.9% of preterm infants had elevated FEP (>120 microgram/dl RBCs).
- Elevated FEP was associated with lower serum iron and transferrin saturation, but not lead or hematocrit.
Conclusions:
- High cord blood FEP may indicate relative iron deficiency at birth.
- Neonatal FEP screening could identify infants at risk for early iron deficiency.
- Further research is needed to confirm FEP as a reliable marker for neonatal iron status.
Abstract:
Red cell free erythrocyte porphyrin determinations were performed on cord blood specimens from 236 term infants and on capillary blood specimens from 63 preterm infants weighing less than 1,500 gm, during the first week of life. These results were contrasted with those obtained from 398 normal infants and children ages 1 to 6 years. The mean FEP value for the infants was significantly higher than that observed in the normal control subjects. In 10.5% of the term infants and 15.9% of the preterm infants, values in excess of 120 microgram/dl RBCs, the highest value recorded in the normal subjects, were observed. Elevations in FEP values were not related to either blood lead concentration or hematocrit levels in the infants. Infants with elevated FEP values were found to have lower serum iron and transferrin saturation values than did infants with low FEP values. These findings suggest that elevations in cord blood FEP values may indicate a state of relative iron deficiency present at birth.