Elevated serum iron in toxemia of pregnancy

The records of 144 women with toxemia of pregnancy were evaluated retrospectively for clinical course and clinical laboratory parameters. A striking elevation of serum iron was noted when patients were most seriously ill. There was a prompt return to normal iron values with improved clinical status. The toxemia-associated rise in iron is out of proportion to the increase in other parameters, such as uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and hematocrit. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are offered.