ESR and iron status in pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Iron deficiency is common during pregnancy.
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a non-specific marker of inflammation.
• Iron status markers are crucial for monitoring pregnant women's health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between ESR and various iron status indicators in term pregnant women.
• To explore the relationship between serum ferritin levels and ESR.
• To analyze ESR differences in anemic versus non-anemic pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving pregnant women at term.
• Measurement of ESR (Westergren method).
• Assessment of iron status parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell count, MCH, P/H ratio, serum iron, TIBC, and serum ferritin.

Main Results:

• Significant correlation found between ESR and multiple iron status markers (Hb, Hct, RBC, MCH, P/H ratio, serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation).
• Serum ferritin showed a non-significant negative correlation with ESR.
• Mean ESR was significantly higher in anemic pregnant women compared to non-anemic ones (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• ESR is significantly associated with iron status in pregnant women at term.
• Elevated ESR in pregnant women, particularly those with anemia and high ferritin, may suggest underlying chronic infection.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of infection in modulating ferritin and ESR during pregnancy.