Study of Role of Maternal Serum Ferritin in the Prediction of Asymmetric Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Abstract

Background: Late-onset asymmetric Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is associated with an increase in the maternal serum ferritin level, which is thought to be caused by a decrease in placental extraction ferritin from the systemic circulation. Objective: The aim of the current study was to predict asymmetric IUGR by measuring maternal serum ferritin at 30-32 weeks of gestation. Patients and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on a total of 550 women. At 30-32 weeks of gestation, maternal serum ferritins were assessed. Of the studied women, 84 women were selected and divided into two groups; 42 cases of elevated serum ferritin level taken as a case group and the first included 42 cases with normal serum ferritin level served as a control group. At 30-32 weeks of gestation, we assessed maternal serum ferritin. Results: Serum ferritin is good marker for detecting cases of IUGR at cut off ≥12.45 with a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 35.7%, a positive predictive value of 57.1% and a negative predictive value of 71.4%., while serum ferritin is good marker for excluding cases of IUGR at cut off ≥20.5 with a sensitivity of 33.3%, a specificity of 85.7%, a positive predictive value of 70% and a negative predictive value of 56.3%. Conclusion: Serum ferritin level with a cut off level ≥12.45 ng/dl in addition to ultrasonography has as a predictive value of asymmetric IUGR