Association of maternal serum ferritin concentration with newborn iron stores in anemic women in late pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to Iron deficiency because of the increased metabolic demands imposed by pregnancy involving a growing placenta, fetus and maternal tissues, coupled with associated dietary risks. Maternal iron deficiency has effects on fetal iron stores. The fetus receives iron indirectly from the maternal circulation through a rapid and unidirectional process. Thus, this study was planned to determine association between maternal serum ferritin and new born serum ferritin levels. In this observational cross sectional study randomized sample of 100 antenatal women, >20years of age with Hb <11gm/dl and period of gestation >37 weeks was taken for study. Serum ferritin was estimated by ELISA technique. Hb levels ranged from 3.8-10.7grams/dl with a mean value of 9.77±1.55gram/dl. Parity is of significance for severity of Anaemia (p=0.002). Mean gestational age was 38.35±0.85. No correlation was found between the maternal haemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin levels in women with mild and moderate Anaemia. But in cases of severe Anaemia a positive correlation was found with a p<0.001. The mean cord blood serum ferritin was 57.36±19.48 micrograms. This study establishes the effect of iron deficiency anaemia on neonatal iron status with increasing severity of anaemia and emphasizes on the need for iron supplementation during pregnancy.