SERUM FERRITIN AS AN ASSESSMENT OF IRON STORES AND OTHER HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS DURING PREGNANCY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (2) , 238-242
Abstract
Serum ferritin concentration has been thought to be a useful index of the status of Fe stores. Serum ferritin concentration and Hb, serum Fe and transferrin levels were measured simultaneously. In 1st -trimester pregnant women, serum Fe and ferritin levels increased significantly as compared with those in nonpregnant women. During the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, serum Fe and ferritin levels decreased significantly. Hb levels showed little change and transferrin levels increased. At delivery, serum Fe levels in cord blood were about twice as high as those in maternal blood, and serum ferritin levels in cord blood were about 10 times higher than those in maternal blood. Serum Fe and ferritin levels between maternal and cord blood were well-correlated. These results suggest that maternal body Fe storage is depleted during the 2nd trimester in patients who are not receiving supplemental Fe. The data are also consistent with the concept that maternal serum Fe is transported across the placenta by active transport and that a deficiency of maternal Fe storage results in a deficiency of neonatal Fe storage.

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