CORD BLOOD HAEMOGLOBIN, IRON AND FERRITIN STATUS IN MATERNAL ANAEMIA

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Abstract
Maternal and cord blood Hb, serum Fe, transferrin saturation and ferritin were studied in sets of 30 anemic (Hb < 110 g/l) and 21 nonanemic (Hb .gtoreq. 110 g/l) [human] mothers. The cord serum Fe, transferrin saturation and ferritin concentrations had significant correlation with maternal Hb. The significant low levels of these parameters suggested that maternal anemia adversely affected the iron status including iron stores of the newborns. The cord serum iron of 15.2 .+-. 4.35 .mu.mol/l and ferritin of 29.7 .+-. 10.93 ng/ml seem to be effective in maintaining cord Hb levels. Anemic mothers with reasonably maintained ferritin and transferrin saturation levels provide sufficient iron for maintenance of cord Hb, although fetal iron stores are likely to be depleted.