Serum transferrin receptor for the detection of iron deficiency in pregnancy

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Measurements of circulating transferrin receptor provide a sensitive quantitative index of tissue iron deficiency in otherwise healthy subjects. This investigation was undertaken to examine the diagnostic utility of this new iron index in pregnancy. A battery of iron-related measurements, including serum transferrin receptor concentrations, was performed on 176 women in third-trimester pregnancy who were attending a university prenatal clinic. The mean receptor concentration of 5.96 ± 2.37 mg/L (±1 SD) did not differ significantly from concentrations in nonpregnant individuals and the frequency distributions were likewise comparable. Elevations in serum receptor < 8.5 mg/L occurred only in women with depleted iron stores defined by serum ferritin concentrations. Abnormal concentrations were found in 11 of 13 women with overt iron-deficiency anemia. Our findings indicate that serum receptor concentrations are not influenced by pregnancy per se and are a sensitive index of iron deficiency. By combining serum receptor and serum ferritin measurements, the entire spectrum of iron status in pregnancy can be assessed.

This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit: